Medical Ethics: Physicians and Patients

"Ethics consists of knowing what is right to do and what is wrong to avoid" (Socrates; 470-399 BC). Medical ethics refers to a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to medical practice. Ethics is and always has been an essential component of physician-patient relationship, which facilitates the exchange of medical knowledge and care within a framework of trust. The basic principles of medical ethics include: autonomy (respect of the patient preferences), beneficence (taking actions that serve the best interests of patients), non-maleficence (first, do no harm), and justice (fairness and equality). This book is structured to address issues related to medical ethics in which physicians are involved, but at the core will always be the relationship between physicians and patients. I hope this book will reinforce and strengthen your ethical mindset and provide tools to deal with the ethical issues that you will encounter in your medical practice.