Universal Principles of Biomedical
Ethics
A. Autonomy- the word comes from the greek autos (self)
and nomos (governance).
B. Veracity- binds both the health practitioner and the
patient in an association of truth.
C. Beneficence- the common English usage of the term beneficence
suggests acts of mercy and charity, although it certainly maybe expanded to
include any action that benefits another.
D. Nonmaleficence- most health care professional pledges
or codes of care echo the principle paraphrased from the Hippocratic Oath
statement “ I will never use treatment to injure or wrong the sick.
E. Confidentiality- is an important aspect of the trust
that patient placed in health care professionals.
F. Justice- the maintenance of this ethical principle is
seemingly is very simple in the abstract and complex in application as it looks
at the concepts of fairness, just desert, and entitlements.
G. Role fidelity- modern health care is the practice of
the team, as no single individual can maintain the data bank of information
needed to provide rational care.
