Healthcare Ethics

Synonyms

Bioethics; Ethical codes; Professional ethics

Definition

Healthcare ethics covers a wide range of major principles and philosophies examining the availability and provision of appropriate health care by professionals, caregivers, researchers, and institutions while taking into consideration the preferences of patients/research subjects.

Introduction

Going back at least as far as Hippocrates, there has been an effort to ensure that the provision of health care is conducted with the best interests of the patient at the center. Initially, paternalism called for practitioners to decide what was best for patients, based on their medical knowledge. Over time, this has evolved to include an array of philosophical and cultural approaches, and many legal requirements, as well. This entry will summarize the most common categories of ethical theories, examine the major principles which emerge from them, and their impact on the delivery of health care. In the process, key areas of...