Intro - World Medical Association

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6foster individual ethical reflection as well as discussion within teamsettings.As physicians, we know what a privilege it is to be involved in thepatient-physician relationship, a unique relationship which facilitatesan exchange of scientific knowledge and care within a framework ofethics and trust. The Manual is structured to address issues relatedto the different relationships in which physicians are involved, but atthe core will always be the patient-physician relationship. In recenttimes, this relationship has come under pressure due to resourceconstraints and other factors, and this Manual shows the necessityof strengthening this bond through ethical practice.Finally, a word on the centrality of the patient in any discussion onmedical ethics. Most medical associations acknowledge in theirfoundational policies that ethically, the best interests of the individualpatient should be the first consideration in any decision on care. ThisWMA Ethics Manual will only serve its purpose well if it helps preparemedical students and physicians to better navigate through the manyethical challenges we face in our daily practice and find effective waysTO PUT THE PATIENT FIRST.
INTRODUCTIONWhat is medical ethics?Consider the following medical cases, which could have taken placein almost any country:1. Dr. P, an experienced and skilled surgeon, is about to finish nightduty at a medium-sized community hospital. A young woman isbrought to the hospital by her mother, who leaves immediatelyafter telling the intake nurse that she has to look after her otherchildren. The patient is bleeding vaginally and is in a greatdeal of pain. Dr. P examines her and decides that she has hadeither a miscarriage or a self-induced abortion. He does a quickdilatation and curettage and tells the nurse to ask the patientwhether she can afford to stay in the hospital until it is safe forher to be discharged. Dr. Q comes in to replace Dr. P, who goeshome without having spoken to the patient.7Medical Ethics Manual – Medical Principal Ethics Features Manual of Medical – Introduction Ethics2. Dr. S is becoming increasingly frustrated with patients whocome to her either before or after consulting another healthpractitioner for the same ailment. She considers this to be awaste of health resources as well as counter-productive forthe health of the patients. She decides to tell these patientsthat she will no longer treat them if they continue to see otherpractitioners for the same ailment. She intends to approach hernational medical association to lobby the government to preventthis form of misallocation of healthcare resources.3. Dr. C, a newly appointed anaesthetist * in a city hospital, isalarmed by the behaviour of the senior surgeon in the operatingroom. The surgeon uses out-of-date techniques that prolongoperations and result in greater post-operative pain and longerrecovery times. Moreover, he makes frequent crude jokes about*Words written in italics are defined in the glossary (Appendix A).
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Intro - World Medical Association

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