Non-maleficence

Definition

Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that obliges individuals to avoid causing harm to others. It emphasizes the importance of considering the potential negative impacts of actions, especially in fields where decisions can affect human well-being. This principle serves as a foundation for ethical decision-making, ensuring that the welfare of individuals is prioritized over other considerations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Non-maleficence is rooted in the Hippocratic Oath, where medical professionals pledge to do no harm to patients.
2. In practice, non-maleficence requires a careful evaluation of risks and benefits before taking any action that could impact others.
3. This principle often intersects with issues like informed consent, where patients must be made aware of potential harms before agreeing to treatment.
4. Non-maleficence can create ethical dilemmas when actions that could benefit one individual may cause harm to another.
5. Healthcare providers are often faced with balancing non-maleficence against beneficence, as they must consider both avoiding harm and promoting positive outcomes for patients.

Review Questions

• How does non-maleficence influence ethical decision-making in healthcare?
  • Non-maleficence significantly influences ethical decision-making in healthcare by requiring professionals to carefully assess potential harms associated with treatments or interventions. Healthcare providers must weigh the risks against the expected benefits to ensure that they do not inadvertently harm patients while attempting to help them. This principle is fundamental in guiding practitioners to prioritize patient safety and well-being in all aspects of care.
• Discuss a scenario where non-maleficence might conflict with beneficence, and how should healthcare providers address this issue?
  • A scenario where non-maleficence might conflict with beneficence could involve administering a pain relief medication that has side effects. While providing pain relief benefits the patient's quality of life (beneficence), it might also pose risks such as addiction or adverse reactions (non-maleficence). Healthcare providers should address this issue by openly discussing potential risks with the patient, exploring alternative treatments, and collaboratively deciding on a course of action that minimizes harm while still aiming for beneficial outcomes.
• Evaluate the role of non-maleficence in the context of emerging technologies in medicine, considering both benefits and potential risks.
  • In evaluating the role of non-maleficence regarding emerging technologies in medicine, it's essential to recognize that while these innovations can significantly enhance patient care and treatment outcomes, they may also introduce new risks. For example, advanced AI diagnostic tools can improve accuracy but might also lead to misdiagnoses or over-reliance on technology. Thus, ensuring non-maleficence involves a continuous assessment of these technologies' impacts on patient safety and well-being. Ethical frameworks must be established to navigate these complexities, balancing the promise of innovation against the imperative to do no harm.

Related terms

Beneficence: The ethical principle that promotes actions that contribute to the well-being of others, often complementing non-maleficence.

Autonomy: The right of individuals to make informed choices about their own lives and bodies, which must be respected alongside non-maleficence.

Justice: An ethical principle concerned with fairness and the equitable distribution of benefits and burdens among individuals.