ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN MEDICAL PRACTICE

NTA L4, NIHS

DR. ODUNDO

Outline
Code of ethics for medical profession

Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional

Conduct for medical practitioners

At the end one, should be able to:Describe the code of ethics for medical profession

Describe principles of ethics and Code of Professional

Conduct for medical practitioners

Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession

Definition of code of ethics
a statement encompassing the set of rules based on values and
the standards of conduct to which practitioners of a profession
are expected to conform.
a standard of conduct deep-rooted in commitment,
confidentiality, and relationships.
With regards to medical profession it is meant for medical

Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession cont

Committed to performance improvement and maintaining integrity,
personal accountability and moral obligation to all customers served
clients, employees, employers, physicians, organizations, and the public.
Professionals promote the dignity of the profession and are committed to
practicing the profession with honesty, integrity, and accountability
respecting all laws and refusing to participate in or conceal any unethical,
false, fraudulent, or deceptive activity

Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession cont

History in brief
The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, have their roots In
Greece', way back in 500 B.C and traceable to the emergence of Hippocrates
(460B.C.) and his philosophy in scientific approaches in medicine and principles
on moral and ethical requirement of an ideal physician.
The principles, which were then summarized in the form of "Hippocratic oath",
were the fundamental governance of the medical and dental professions.
Existed throughout history until when they were officially modified by the
Geneva Convention in 1948, which then formed the basis for diverse ethical

Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession cont

The principles of ethics are inspirational goals and attributes of the
professions.
They provide guidance and other justification for the professional
conduct.
The Principles can overlap each other as well as compete with each
other for priority as one principle can justify a given element of the
code of professional conduct and may at times,
need to be balanced against each other.
Otherwise the principles are the professions firm guideposts.

Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession cont

Notably, ethics attained in the principles closely relate to the law
but are not the same I', and often do exceed legal duties.
For that matter, in resolving any ethical problem not explicitly
covered by the code, both practitioners and clients shall consider
the ethical principles, client's need and interests with respect to the
applicable law.

Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional

Conduct for medical practitioners
The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for
medical and dental practitioners in Tanzania are therefore epitomized
and presented into five cardinal principles
1. Beneficence
2. Non maleficence
3. Autonomy
4. Justice and
5. Veracity and Fidelity

1. Beneficence (Do Good)

Beneficence is one of the moral principles of medical practice.
The principle of beneficence refers to positive acts that lead to the welfare of
others and a client in particular.
It implores that a practitioner has to do all he can to promote
good, kindness or generosity, and it implies acts of humanity, mercy or charity. It
is a moral obligation required from the practitioner to act for the benefit of others.

1. Beneficence (Do Good) cont

It holds that one should help others further their important and
legitimate interests as those persons understand them, or as one
conceives them to be.
One is obliged to act to benefit others when one can do so with
minimal risks, inconvenience, or expense.
It is the basis for doing good for, and being kind to patients.

1. Beneficence (Do Good) cont

It requires that:One should not inflict harm;
One should prevent harm;
One should remove what is bad;
One should promote good.

1. Beneficence (Do Good) cont

One should not worsen any human beings situation;
One should not worsen any human beings situation;

One should improve such a human beings situation

It is not enough simply not to inflict harm to others, rather one has
also to take positive steps to help others, and to provide benefits to
others
Promoting the welfare of patients, and not merely avoiding to harm

1. Beneficence (Do Good) cont

The practitioner shall:
Devote times and life to the service of humanity;

Maintain by all means the honor and noble traditions of the profession;

Practice the profession with conscience and dignity, and the health of the client
shall be his first consideration;
Maintain the utmost respect and preservation for human life even when subjected
under threat
Act only in the clients interest when providing care, which might have the effect
of weakening the physical and mental condition of the

1. Beneficence (Do Good) cont

Have the duty to give emergency care until he is sure that others
are willing to give such care;
Give advice and treatment as shall be necessary to reduce the
suffering of the client
Represent, recommended or perform treatment or diagnostic
techniques that are evidence based best practice.

2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm)

This principle is based on the concept that a practitioner is
under moral obligation to refrain from any act or omission
that may result into undesirable or uncomfortable
consequences inflicted upon a client.

2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm) cont

The practitioner shall:Refrain from taking part-in any activity or experiment which does not
conform to ethical requirements and which is likely to cause harm or
endanger the health and well-being of a client including but not
limited to taking part in strikes in circumstances which endangers or
causes harm to a patient, or compromises the Hippocratic Oath;

2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm) cont

Strive to have adequate standard equipment and necessary supplies for
practice;
Be obliged, whenever an examination or treatment is beyond his/her skills,
capacity, knowledge and experience, to seek an advice or refer a client to a
practitioner who has the necessary special skills, knowledge, ability and
experience;
Upon completion of the care, where dealing with a referral case, return the
patient back to a referring practitioner, unless a client expressly indicates
different preference;

2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm) cont

Not permit oneself or herself to be exploited in a manner which is
undesirable to the public or professional interest;
Be obliged at all times to protect health of a client by assigning to
qualified auxiliaries only those duties which can be professionally
delegated
Be obliged to supervise the client care provided by auxilliary
personnel working under his direction;

2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm) cont

Once instituted a course of treatment to a client he should
not discontinue that treatment without giving the client
adequate notice and the opportunity to obtain services of
another practitioner;
Not select a health facility on the basis of financial gains
when referring his or
her client.

3. Autonomy (Self Determination)

This principle is based on the concept that a client has inherent
right to make decisions in accordance with his values, as opposed
to the values of others who do not suffer the consequences of the
decisions.
The principle mandates the client to make informed decisions
unrestricted by values of the practitioner

3. Autonomy (Self Determination) cont.

The provider shall:Offer treatment and other forms of health intervention to client only after getting
informed consent from the client.
Always give the client sufficient information to enable him to decide whether or
not to accept treatment, including the relevant risks, expected benefits and
available alternatives.
Ensure that consent is given free from undue influence such as force, pretence,
promise and deception. Any decision to withdraw the consent must be respected

3. Autonomy (Self Determination) cont

Note that:
Consent can be implied or express, oral or written.
But, consent for major surgery and test for sensitive diseases such as HIV/AIDS must be express
Consent from a client who lacks capacity such as a child or unconscious person, shall be obtained
from the next of kin or any other person or authority for the best interest of the client and only for
the necessary intervention
When seeking client's consent as to the disclosure of confidential information, the practitioner
shall ensure that the client clearly understands the reasons for such disclosure and its possible
consequences

3. Autonomy (Self Determination)

The client has the right to choose a practitioner, who will attend the
client
The client's last wishes while still in sound mind and his right to die
in dignity must be respected
The client's right to receive or decline spiritual and moral
comfort must be respected

4. Justice (Fairness)
Refers to just conduct or fair dealing.
It is the principle that requires that each person be assured of
the things that belong to him/her.
It means giving every person what they deserve:
Just treatment implies giving a person the reward or punishment
that she or he deserves.

4. Justice (Fairness) cont.

This principle is based on the concept of fairness, equitable and appropriate
treatment in light of what is due or owed to a person.
Health needs are limited, and every health care system faces some form of
scarcity.
Given the circumstances, the practitioner is
expected to use wisdom to ensure that the limited resources are distributed fairly

4. Justice (Fairness) cont.

Treat all clients fairly and equitably by providing services to
clients based on their needs regardless of factors such as
economic status, faith, race, gender, tribe, age or physical
attributes

4. Justice (Fairness) cont.

Justice is commonly conceptualized as Distributive or Commutative.

Both are relevant in medical and nursing practice.

Distributive Justice
Regulates relationships between public officials and members of
the public;
Demands a fair distribution of public benefits and burdens among
members of the public;
Is violated by favoritism and impartiality.

29

Commutative Justice
Regulates relationships among professional colleagues;
Demands restitution or compensation to re-establish balance.

30

5. Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity (Faithfulness/

Loyalty)
Veracity is the principle that imposes a duty upon the practitioner to be honest and truthful in the
course of interaction with clients.
The practitioner is obliged to respect the inherent trust that exists in the practitioner - client
relationship.
It requires a practitioner to communicate with a client truthfully and without deception, and thus
maintain professional integrity

Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity (Faithfulness/ Loyalty) cont.

On the other hand fidelity is the principle based on the

concept that a practitioner shall keep promises made to the
client, and requires the practitioner not to represent in a false
or misleading manner any care or service rendered by him to
the client

Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity

(Faithfulness/ Loyalty) cont.
The practitioner shall:
Not charge fees for providing care in a false or misleading manner;
Not increase fee to a client on reason that a client is covered under
insurance scheme;
Not recommend or perform unnecessary procedures for purposes of
financial gain;

Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity

(Faithfulness/ Loyalty) cont.
While presenting educational or scientific information in an article, seminar or other programmes,
disclose to the reader or participants stakeholders as the case may be, any monetary or other special
interest he may have with a company whose products are being promoted or endorsed in the
presentation;
Disclose any monetary or other special interests he may have with the
company whose products are being promoted or endorsed in educational,
scientific information in an article, seminar or other programmes.
Disclosure shall be made in any promotional material and in the presentation itself

Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity

(Faithfulness/ Loyalty) cont.
In the event of adverse reaction to a drug or device, the
practitioner shall communicate that information to members
of the profession and relevant authorities;
Not misrepresent his training or competence in any way
which is false or misleading in any material respect.

Do you remember the Principles of Ethics

and Code of Professional Conduct for
medical practitioners