Ethical-religious-directives-catholic-health-service-sixth-edition

Professional-Patient Relationship

A relationship characterized by mutual respect, trust, honesty, and appropriate confidentiality between the healthcare provider and the patient.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that allow patients to outline their preferences for medical treatment in case they become incapacitated.

Surrogacy in Health Care Decisions

The process by which individuals can designate a representative to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.

Free and Informed Consent

A fundamental principle requiring that patients or their surrogates provide consent for medical treatments or procedures, based on adequate information.

Right to Bodily and Functional Integrity

The principle that individuals have both the right and responsibility to protect their bodily and functional integrity.

Organ Transplantation

The morally acceptable process of transplanting organs from living donors, provided there is no severe impairment to bodily function and the risks are proportionate to benefits.

Obligation to Use Ordinary Means

The requirement for individuals to utilize ordinary means to preserve their health without coercion into unnecessary procedures.

Holistic Consideration in Treatment Decisions

The requirement for therapeutic interventions to consider the overall well-being of the patient, ensuring anticipated benefits justify potential risks.

Confidentiality

The obligation of healthcare providers to respect patients' privacy regarding information related to their diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting Abuse

The duty of healthcare professionals to identify and report signs of abuse and violence to appropriate authorities.

Care for Victims of Sexual Assault

Mandated compassionate support and medical care for sexual assault survivors, while adhering to ethical guidelines regarding treatment.

Ethics Committees

Groups that provide guidance on ethical dilemmas in healthcare and ensure adherence to Catholic medical ethics.