ethics P1

ethics

• system or code of conduct and morals advocated by a particular individual or group

• study of acceptable conduct and moral judgment

Babylonia: Code of Hammurabi

• 1727 BC

• one of the earliest examples of written laws related to medicine

• reflected a direct connection between ethical duty and legal responsibility in medical care

• One of the earliest known legal codes that included medical practice

Egypt: The Book of Toth

• a sacred text containing detailed prescriptions and healing rituals

• rigid and based on religious authority

• It reinforced obedience to established medical doctrine rather than allowing individual clinical judgment

Persia: Character and Knowledge in Medicine

• emphasized that physicians should be both morally upright and intellectually competent

• Physicians were expected to possess not only technical skill but also compassion, honesty, and integrity

• This view helped shape the concept of the ethical professional who combines knowledge with virtue

greek contributions:

• pythagoras

• hippocrates

• plato

Pythagoras

• introduced the idea that ethical behavior should be rooted in self-discipline and moral reflection

• inner virtue should guide outward actions, including those in professional life

• He postulated that to live a good life, one should be devoted to mental discipline and simplicity, advocating for “divinely inspired personal morality.”

• His teachings contributed to the formation of early moral codes.

Hippocrates

• 460 to 375 B.C.

• Father of Medicine

• doing no harm, maintaining patient confidentiality, and putting the patient's welfare above all

The Hippocratic Oath

• first written in the 5th century B.C.

• one of the earliest professional codes of ethics

• a model for ethical commitment in medicine and is still referenced in modern professional codes

Plato

• argued that morality was essential for individual and societal well-being

• supported the idea that healthcare professionals have a moral responsibility to serve the common good

Ethical decisions

• not fixed or universal

• depend on context and individual reasoning, combining experience, reflection, and critical thinking

• involves complex reasoning.

different ethical schools of thought

• consequentialism

• deontology

• virtue ethics

core values of radiologic care

• respect

• honesty

• empathy

Competence

• ability to make sound decisions and understand consequences

• involves assessing a patient's capacity to consent and respecting their rights even in cases of temporary or limited understanding

• critical for obtaining informed consent and ensuring ethical practice

standard of practice:

• Act professionally

• Serve humanity

• Non-discrimination

• Apply proper techniques

• Exercise judgment

• Assist, do not interpret

• Radiation safety

• Ethical conduct

• Confidentiality

Ethics

• not a rigid set of rules but a flexible system shaped by values and life experience

• It guides professionals in resolving dilemmas and helps them reflect on their decisions.

values

qualities or standards that shape behavior

Personal

Based on beliefs and upbringing

Cultural

Influenced by heritage and social norms

Professional

Shaped by formal education and ethical codes

Biomedical Ethics

• branch of ethics guides relationships and decisions in medical care

• It provides standards for patient and peer interactions

seven principles of biomedical ethics:

• Autonomy

• Beneficence

• Nonmaleficence

• Confidentiality

• Justice

• Role Fidelity

• Veracity

Professionalism

• awareness of one’s role, goals, and conduct

• Respecting colleagues and patients

• Following codes of ethics

• Demonstrating reliability, honesty, and integrity

six-step model for ethical decision-making

• Identify the problem

• Isolate ethical issues

• Gather and analyze relevant data

• Develop a plan

• Implement the plan

• Evaluate the outcome

Dowd Model

encourages consistency, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning in complex clinical scenarios

Ethics

comes from the Greek word ethos, which refers to a person’s character or

habitual way of behaving.

ethos,

 refers to a person’s character or

habitual way of behaving.

• mos or mores

• morality

The Romans later translated ethos into the word ?, which is the root of the English term ?

ethics

the study of right and wrong and the reasoning used to determine the

difference between the two.

ethics

• provides a framework for acting with integrity, compassion, and professionalism.

• It helps ensure that actions in clinical settings are just, respectful, and guided by the welfare of patients.

Babylonia – Code of Hammurabi

It regulated medical fees and

prescribed harsh punishments for negligence or harm caused by physicians. The

law held healers strictly accountable for their actions, demonstrating the early connection between ethics and legal responsibility in medicine.

Egypt – The Book of Toth:

• medical conduct was governed by religious law

• Physicians were expected to follow its prescriptions without deviation. Failure to do so, especially if it led to patient harm, could result in severe punishment, even death.

• This system emphasized strict adherence to doctrine rather than personal judgment.

tenth or eleventh century

During the ? century, the Oath was Christianized to remove references to pagan gods.

The Hippocratic Oath:

• emphasizes the physician’s duty to the patient and to other members of the healthcare profession.

• It served as a foundational guide in shaping the expectations for ethical behavior in medicine, particularly the principles of nonmaleficence, confidentiality, and loyalty to the profession.

plato

viewed ethics as central to

both individual happiness and social harmony.

● Habit:

Repeated actions that shape one’s character over time.

● Custom

: Established practices shared by a community.

● Ideals:

Personal standards of excellence and moral aspiration.

● Etiquette:

Social rules that guide polite and respectful behavior.

● Tradition:

Beliefs and practices passed down across generations that influence professional conduct

virtue ethics

focus: moral character and wisdom

principle: act is based on what a wise and virtuous person would do

Example: Considering kindness and empathy when deciding how to communicate difficult news to a patient’s family

deontology (duty ethics)

● Focus: Rules and duty

● Principle: The end does not justify the means.

● Example: Treating the most critically ill patient first regardless of survival

odds.

Utilitarianism (Consequentialism):

● Focus: Outcome

● Principle: The end justifies the means.

● Example: Prioritizing patients most likely to survive during limited resource

situations such as triage.