Medical Ethics in Health Care and How They Apply: Medical Ethics, its Definition, Roots and Values

What do we mean when we say medical ethics?

Medical ethics encompasses a wide range of scientific inquiry, exploration and discovery. Thus, a definition of medical ethics is necessary, but it has to be broad in scope in order to cover the full extent of its possible aspects.

“Medical Ethics: A system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. As a scholarly discipline, medical ethics encompasses its practical application in clinical settings, as well as work on its history, philosophy, theology, and sociology. (1)

Medical ethics determines the guidelines of practice for medical and health care professionals. Medical standards of practice, as well as short and long-term goals in medicine must be determined, established and maintained. Without medical ethics, there would be no rules or regulations in the field of medicine.

Addressing the question of medical ethics in health care, suggests that one must be familiar with its basic, historical perspective, at least to some extent. Because of its complexity and vastness of scope, this article will only include a reference to the early beginnings of western-based medical ethics.  

“Historically, Western medical ethics may be traced to guidelines on the duty of physicians in antiquity, such as the Hippocratic Oath, early rabbinic and Christian teachings.” (2)

Note that since that time, the study of medical ethics has advanced far beyond that and has undergone further changes and development and will continue to develop in the future. Addressing the question of medical ethics in health care further, opens another realm of inquiry and concern. It is extremely broad in scope, but its importance cannot be underestimated.

Note that this is rooted in basic values determined in the medical world, by those in authority.    

“Six of the values that commonly apply to medical ethics discussions are:

Autonomy - the patient has the right to refuse or choose their treatment. (Voluntas aegroti suprema lex.)

Beneficence - a practitioner should act in the best interest of the patient. (Salus aegroti suprema lex.) 

Non-maleficence - "first, do no harm" (primum non nocere). Justice - concerns the distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who gets what treatment (fairness and equality). 

Dignity - the patient (and the person treating the patient) have the right to dignity. 

Truthfulness and honesty - the concept of informed consent has increased in importance since the historical events of the Doctors' Trial of the Nuremberg trials andTuskegee Syphilis Study.

Values such as these do not give answers as to how to handle a particular situation, but provide a useful framework for understanding conflicts.

When moral values are in conflict, the result may be an ethical dilemma or crisis” (3)

Every era brings about continual changes in the medical world. Thus, there are always new and different questions, concerns, issues, dilemmas and possible crises that must be resolved.

In any kind of a crisis, medical judgments are necessary. Medical professionals make decisions about appropriate medical care and treatment based upon their degree of expertise, experience and authority.

At times, there are no easy answers. Patient’s lives are at stake and thus, the decisions made are crucial.

This article touches upon the basics of medical ethics in health care and how they apply. Further inquiry into medical ethics will reveal an open door of inquiry, one that is challenging, exciting and intriguing in its vast potential.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_ethics

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.