Behavioral Science

CHAPTER 24
Medical Ethics and
Legal Issues
What are the four principles
of medical ethics?
What is Autonomy?
What is Beneficence?
What is Nonmaleficence?
What is Justice?
Of these principles, which one tends
to take precedence in ethical questions,
especially on the USMLE?
What is the principle of double-effect?
What is the classic example of
double-effect?
Is malpractice a crime?
1. Patient Autonomy
2. Beneficence
3. Nonmaleficence
4. Justice
The patient has the right to make their
own decisions regarding their care.
The principle that physicians should be
of benefit to their patients.
Do no harm.
The allocation of resources in a fair and
just manner, including equal treatment.
Patient Autonomy
When an action that has a primarily
good effect may also cause an
unintended bad effect, but is still
permissible.
Giving morphine to relieve the pain of a
dying patient, even if it causes respiratory
depression hastening the patient’s
death. As long as the primary intent
of the treatment is to reduce pain and
not to kill the patient, it is ethically
permissible so long as there is pain
to be relieved.
No—malpractice is a civil court matter.
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