Exam 2 Terms Healthcare Ethics

5 Components of Informed Consent

1. 1. Capacity to make healthcare decisions

2. 2. Voluntary decision (not coerced)

3. 3. Consent given for the procedure

4. 4. Adequate disclosure of relevant information

5. 5. Understanding of the information provided

4 Elements of Adequate Disclosure

1. 1. The nature of the procedure

2. 2. The risks of the procedure

3. 3. The benefits of the procedure

4. 4. Information about any alternatives to the procedure

The Condition of Doubt

When the healthcare provider is unsure of what the facts are

Veracity

Veracity as a principle tells us not to lie (honesty) but doesn’t tell us how to present the truth.

We do not need to tell the patient the full truth, but we need to tell them information that is reasonably meaningful

Therapeutic Privilege

The withholding of relevant information from a patient when the physician believes that disclosure would likely do harm to the patient

Moral Principle of Justice

Concerned with how the goods and harms are distributed

Prioritarian Justice

Distribute resources in a way that favors the worst off (those in the most medical need)

Social Beneficence

Distribute resources to maximize efficiency across a population (what will do the most overall good/ benefit for everyone)

2 Reasons to Refuse Futile Care

1. 1. Futile care fails to satisfy the principles of beneficence/non-maleficence

2. 2. Futile care is a waste of medical resources

Fair Innings Argument

People equally sick are worse off the younger they are