13.4 Patient Rights and Medical Ethics

Patient rights and medical ethics are crucial aspects of healthcare systems. They ensure fair treatment, protect privacy, and guide decision-making in complex situations. These principles shape policies and practices, balancing individual autonomy with professional responsibilities.

From informed consent to end-of-life care, patient rights empower individuals in their healthcare journey. Meanwhile, medical ethics provide a framework for addressing challenges in malpractice, bioethics, research, and healthcare equity, fostering a more just and effective healthcare system.

Patient Rights

Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy

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Top images from around the web for Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy

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  Frontiers | Information, Sharing, and Self-Determination: Understanding the Current Challenges ... View original

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  Frontiers | Autonomies in Interaction: Dimensions of Patient Autonomy and Non-adherence to Treatment View original

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  Anaesthetists' and surgeons' attitudes towards informed consent in the UK: an observational ... View original

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  Frontiers | Information, Sharing, and Self-Determination: Understanding the Current Challenges ... View original

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• Informed consent requires healthcare providers to disclose relevant information about medical procedures
• Patients must receive clear explanations of risks, benefits, and alternatives before making decisions
• Patient autonomy empowers individuals to make their own healthcare choices
• Includes right to refuse treatment, even if against medical advice
• Exceptions to informed consent occur in emergencies or when patients lack decision-making capacity
• Shared decision-making model encourages collaboration between patients and healthcare providers

Confidentiality and HIPAA Regulations

• Patient confidentiality protects private health information from unauthorized disclosure
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes national standards for patient privacy
• HIPAA Privacy Rule regulates use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI)
• Covered entities (healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses) must comply with HIPAA
• Patients have right to access their medical records and request amendments
• HIPAA violations can result in significant fines and legal consequences for healthcare organizations

End-of-Life Care and Advance Directives

• End-of-life care focuses on providing comfort and dignity to terminally ill patients
• Includes palliative care, hospice services, and management of pain and symptoms
• Advance directives allow individuals to specify their healthcare preferences in case of incapacitation
• Living will outlines desired medical treatments in specific situations (ventilator use, artificial nutrition)
• Healthcare proxy designates someone to make medical decisions on patient's behalf
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders instruct healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form documents specific medical orders for seriously ill patients

Medical Ethics

Medical Malpractice and Professional Conduct

• Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers deviate from accepted standards of care
• Four elements of malpractice: duty, breach, causation, and damages
• Negligence involves failure to exercise reasonable care in providing medical treatment
• Standard of care determined by comparing actions to those of similarly qualified professionals
• Medical errors can lead to adverse patient outcomes and legal liability
• Risk management strategies aim to reduce malpractice incidents and improve patient safety
• Professional conduct guidelines established by medical boards and professional associations

Bioethics and Ethical Decision-Making

• Bioethics addresses moral issues in healthcare, life sciences, and biotechnology
• Four fundamental principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice
• Ethical dilemmas arise in situations like organ transplantation, genetic testing, and assisted reproduction
• Ethical decision-making frameworks help healthcare professionals navigate complex moral issues
• Institutional ethics committees provide guidance on challenging cases and policy development
• Ethical considerations in resource allocation and healthcare rationing
• Cultural competence promotes respect for diverse values and beliefs in healthcare settings

Research Ethics and Human Subject Protection

• Research ethics ensure responsible conduct in scientific studies involving human subjects
• Nuremberg Code established ethical principles for human experimentation after World War II
• Belmont Report outlines three fundamental principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
• Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review and approve research protocols to protect human subjects
• Informed consent required for research participants, with special protections for vulnerable populations
• Ethical issues in clinical trials include placebo use, equipoise, and post-trial access to treatments
• Data integrity and responsible reporting of research results crucial for scientific integrity

Healthcare Equity and Social Justice

• Healthcare equity aims to eliminate disparities in access, quality, and outcomes of medical care
• Social determinants of health impact overall well-being and healthcare utilization
• Cultural competence training helps providers deliver culturally appropriate care
• Health literacy initiatives improve patient understanding and engagement in healthcare
• Addressing systemic barriers to care (transportation, language, insurance coverage)
• Ethical considerations in resource allocation and prioritization of healthcare services
• Global health ethics focuses on reducing health disparities between developed and developing nations