Medical Ethics Day | Challenges and Commitments in 2024
The WMA is the non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the ethics and improvement of medical care that represents physicians worldwide.
Medical ethics is the branch in charge of the principles and values that should govern medical practices. These principles are based on respect for human dignity, patient autonomy, justice and beneficence, among others.
This ethic, based on sound principles, guides health professionals in their mission to care and heal, and is celebrated annually every September 18.
The 5 principles of medical ethics
Medical ethics is based on five fundamental principles that guide medical practice. Figures such as Hippocrates and his well-known Hippocratic Oath have influenced the development and configuration of the ethical principles that still guide medicine today. The evolution of these principles reflects the adaptation of medical ethics to changing circumstances and technological advances.
- Autonomy: The patient has the right to make decisions about his or her own medical care. This includes the right to give or withhold consent for medical treatment, as well as the right to be fully and comprehensibly informed about diagnosis, treatment options and prognosis.
- Beneficence: The physician must act in a way that benefits the patient. Health technicians must do whatever is necessary to help the patient and provide the treatment and care necessary for recovery and health.
- Non-maleficence: The professional must act in a way that does not cause harm to the patient. Physicians must take all necessary precautions to avoid harming their patients during the process of diagnosis and treatment.
- Fairness: Patients must have access to the medical care they need, regardless of race, religion, gender, origin or socioeconomic status.
- Confidentiality: Health professionals must protect the privacy of patients and maintain the confidentiality of medical information. This is crucial to maintain trust and respect in the therapeutic relationship.
These principles are vital to ensure that medical care is safe, effective and respectful of patients' rights.
Challenges in Medical Ethics
Despite the importance of medical ethics, health care professionals face many challenges in its daily application. Some of these challenges include:
1. ethical dilemmas
Situations in which it is not clear what is the correct action to take. Such dilemmas can arise when ethical principles conflict with each other. A physician may face a dilemma when patient autonomy clashes with beneficence.
2. Technological advances
Technological advances in medicine, such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, present new ethical challenges. Health professionals must be prepared to address the ethical implications of these technologies and ensure that they are used responsibly.
3. Limited resources
Equitable distribution of medical resources is another important challenge. In situations of limited resources, health professionals have to make difficult decisions about who gets treatment and who does not. Fairness and equity are central to these decisions.
Promoting Medical Ethics
Promoting medical ethics is a challenge that guarantees quality medical care, maintaining public confidence in the healthcare system.
1. Education and training
Education and training in medical ethics are essential to prepare health professionals to face ethical dilemmas. Training programs should include courses in medical ethics and provide opportunities to discuss real ethical cases.
2. Policies and guidelines
Ethical policies and guidelines are important tools to guide medical practice. Hospitals and other health care institutions need to develop and implement clear policies on ethical issues and provide guidance to health care professionals.
3. Ethics Committees
Ethics committees are groups of professionals who meet to discuss and resolve ethical dilemmas. These committees can provide guidance and support to health professionals in making ethical decisions.
Education related to medical ethics
Training in medical ethics is essential to ensure that health professionals are prepared to make ethical decisions in their daily practice.
Degree in Health Engineering
La Salle-URL's Bachelor's Degree in Health Engineering offers a comprehensive training in the field of health, combining a complete education in engineering, management, innovation and health sciences, with a human and health care perspective.
Students will develop unique skills in the fields of technology, health and innovation, with the possibility of internships in hospitals and companies in the sector.
Master in eHealth
The Master in eHealth of La Salle-URL offers specialized training in the application of information and communication technologies in the field of health.
The program responds to the challenges of the healthcare industry through the development and implementation of digital solutions. These training programs provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to act ethically and responsibly in their daily practice.
In short, medical ethics is a fundamental aspect of medical practice. Healthcare professionals must be trained in the ethical principles of medicine to ensure that the care they provide is safe, effective and respectful of patients' rights.
Training programs related to medical ethics, such as La Salle-URL's Bachelor's Degree in Health Engineering and Master's Degree in eHealth, provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to make ethical decisions in their daily practice.
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