Medical Ethics Quiz

What is meant by medical ethics and what are the key principles?

Answer explanation

Medical ethics refers to the moral principles guiding medical practice. Key principles include autonomy (respecting patient choices), beneficence (promoting well-being), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (fair treatment).

Why do interpretations of terms, such as ‘harm’ and ‘benefit’ change?

Answer explanation

Interpretations of terms like 'harm' and 'benefit' change due to cultural, social, and contextual factors. Different perspectives and evolving societal norms influence how these concepts are understood and applied.

How do ethics and law interact?

Answer explanation

Ethics and law interact as ethics provide the moral foundation for laws, while laws enforce ethical standards in society. However, not all ethical principles are codified into law, leading to potential conflicts between legal obligations and personal ethics.

How do concepts of professionalism fit in?

Answer explanation

Professionalism encompasses behaviors and attitudes that reflect respect, integrity, and accountability in the workplace. It is essential for fostering a positive work environment and maintaining trust among colleagues and clients.

What is the difference between moral rights and legal rights?

Answer explanation

Moral rights are inherent to individuals and protect personal interests, such as the right to attribution and integrity of work. Legal rights are established by law and can be enforced in court, often relating to property and contractual obligations.

Which principles should healthcare professionals prioritize in their practice?

• Respect

• Empathy

• Accountability

• Innovation

• Collaboration

Answer explanation

Doctors should embody integrity, compassion, altruism, continuous improvement, and excellence to provide the best care. These core values ensure trust, empathy, selflessness, growth, and high standards in medical practice.

What are the key challenges for the future of medical professionalism?

• Greater inequality for patients

• Greater conflicts of interest for GPs

• Financial competition within the healthcare organization

• Fear of increasing privatisation of the healthcare organization

Answer explanation

Key challenges for medical professionalism include greater inequality for patients, increased conflicts of interest for GPs, financial competition within healthcare organizations, and fears of privatization affecting care quality.

What are the core elements of medical professionalism?

• Specialised training

• A clear code of ethics

• Specialised knowledge

• Self-regulation

• Altruism and a service ideology

Answer explanation

The core elements of medical professionalism include specialised training, a clear code of ethics, specialised knowledge, self-regulation, and altruism, all of which ensure that healthcare providers maintain high standards of practice.

What is the role of the Medical Council in medical ethics?

Answer explanation

The Medical Council plays a crucial role in establishing and enforcing medical ethics standards, ensuring that healthcare professionals adhere to ethical practices, thereby protecting patient rights and promoting public trust in the medical profession.

Lily, a medical student, must be able to trust her professors with her education and future career. To justify that trust, they must show respect for her aspirations and they must: Make the education of their students their first concern. Protect and promote the learning of students and the academic community. Provide a good standard of teaching and mentorship. Treat students as individuals and respect their dignity. Work in partnership with students. Be honest and open and act with integrity. They are personally accountable for their professional practice and must always be prepared to justify their decisions and actions.

Answer explanation

Professors must prioritize student education, protect learning, provide quality teaching, respect students as individuals, collaborate, and act with integrity to justify trust, ensuring a supportive academic environment for Lily.