What is beneficence
To act in the patients best interest
Are the benefits worth the risk?
Autonomy
The patients right to choose (e.g treatment plans)
Consent required
Judgement based on capacity to consent
What is non maleficence
Doing no harm
Minimise side effects
What is justice
Fairness in decision making and providing treatment
Prioritising based on need
What is required for a patient to consent
Patient must be informed
They must give it voluntarily
They must have the capacity (power) to consent
When does a patient lack capacity to consent
If they cant:
Understand information and retain it
Communicate their decision
Weigh the pros and cons of their decision
What is doctor patient confidentiality
Doctors must keep (not share) information given to them by the patient
When can doctor patient confidentiality be broken
Risk of serious harm to the patients
Legal requirements
Safeguarding concerns
What is Gillick competence and how is it assessed
Guidelines that are followed, to assess whether individuals under the age of 16 can consent to medical procedures, without the permission of parents and careers.
the child’s age, maturity and mental capacity
their understanding of the issue and what it involves - including advantages, disadvantages and potential long-term impact
their understanding of the risks, implications and consequences that may arise from their decision
how well they understand any advice or information they have been given
their understanding of any alternative options, if available
their ability to explain a rationale around their reasoning and decision making.
What are the fraser guidlines
Guidlines that must be followed when providing sexual and reproductive information / treatment to under 16s
the young person cannot be persuaded to inform their parents or carers that they are seeking this advice or treatment (or to allow the practitioner to inform their parents or carers).
the young person understands the advice being given.
the young person’s physical or mental health or both are likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment.
it is in the young person’s best interests to receive the advice, treatment or both without their parents’ or carers’ consent.
the young person is very likely to continue having sex with or without contraceptive treatment.
What is the duty of candour
The legal and professional obligation of thoes in healthcare to be open and honest when things go wrong
