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medical_ethics [2023/01/09 07:27] – [The Hippocratic Oath] andrewtaustinmedical_ethics [2023/03/06 10:11] (current) – Remove socialite tom
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 =====Medical Ethics===== =====Medical Ethics=====
  
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 ===== The Hippocratic Oath ===== ===== The Hippocratic Oath =====
  
-The Hippocratic Oath is an ancient Greek ethical code for medical practitioners. It is named after the physician Hippocrates, who is considered the father of Western medicine. The oath is still often taken by modern-day doctors and healthcare professionals upon graduating from medical school or entering the profession. The original text of the oath includes a number of commitments that a doctor makes to their profession and to their patients, including to practice medicine ethically and to respect the confidentiality of patient information. It is considered a cornerstone of the medical profession and is intended to establish trust and confidence between doctors and their patients.+The Hippocratic Oath is an ancient Greek ethical code for medical practitioners. It is named after the physician Hippocrates, who is considered the father of Western medicine. 
  
-Here is the original text of the Hippocratic Oath:+The oath is still often taken by modern-day doctors and healthcare professionals upon graduating from medical school or entering the profession. The original text of the oath includes a number of commitments that a doctor makes to their profession and to their patients, including to practice medicine ethically and to respect the confidentiality of patient information.  
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 +It is considered a cornerstone of the medical profession and is intended to establish trust and confidence between doctors and their patients. 
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 +**Here is the original text of the Hippocratic Oath:**
  
 //"I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract:// //"I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract://
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 //If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot." //If I fulfill this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot."
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 ===== Autonomy ===== ===== Autonomy =====
  
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 Informed consent is an essential part of medical ethics, as it ensures that patients are able to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. It is important for healthcare providers to respect patient autonomy and involve surrogate decision-makers when necessary, while also taking extra care to ensure that the informed consent process is as thorough and effective as possible. Informed consent is an essential part of medical ethics, as it ensures that patients are able to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. It is important for healthcare providers to respect patient autonomy and involve surrogate decision-makers when necessary, while also taking extra care to ensure that the informed consent process is as thorough and effective as possible.
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 +=====Informed versus Implied Consent=====
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 +Informed consent is the process of a patient voluntarily agreeing to a medical treatment, procedure, or clinical trial after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives involved. This means that the patient has a clear understanding of what they are consenting to and has the capacity to make an informed decision. An example of informed consent is when a patient signs a consent form after a doctor has thoroughly explained a surgical procedure and its potential risks and benefits.
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 +Implied consent, on the other hand, occurs when a patient's actions indicate that they agree to medical treatment without explicit verbal or written agreement. This type of consent is often used in emergency situations when the patient is unable to provide informed consent due to their medical condition. For example, if a patient is unconscious and in need of immediate medical attention, the medical team may proceed with lifesaving treatment based on the implied consent that the patient would have agreed to the treatment if they were able to make an informed decision.
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 +It's important to note that informed consent is the preferred method of obtaining consent in medical ethics and is considered a cornerstone of patient autonomy and respect for persons. Implied consent is only used in exceptional circumstances and should be limited to life-saving treatments where the patient is unable to provide informed consent.
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 +In mental health and psychotherapy, implied consent may arise in situations where a patient is unable to provide explicit verbal or written agreement due to their mental or emotional state. For example, if a patient is in an acute state of distress and unable to communicate effectively, the therapist may proceed with a crisis intervention based on the implied consent that the patient would have agreed to the treatment if they were able to make an informed decision.
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 +Another example is when a patient is under involuntary commitment and receiving court-ordered treatment for a mental health condition. In these cases, the patient may not have explicitly agreed to the treatment but it is assumed that they would have consented if they were able to do so.
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 +It's important to note that implied consent in mental health and psychotherapy should only be used in exceptional circumstances and should be limited to treatments necessary to address immediate safety concerns. In all other cases, mental health professionals should strive to obtain informed consent from the patient, ensuring that they understand the nature of the treatment and their right to refuse or withdraw consent at any time. This approach respects the patient's autonomy and supports their recovery journey.
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 +=====Confidentiality=====
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 +Confidentiality is an important aspect of medical ethics and psychotherapy, as it helps to protect the privacy and trust of patients.
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 +In medical ethics, confidentiality refers to the principle that medical professionals must keep a patient's personal health information and medical records private, unless the patient gives their explicit consent for the information to be shared. This means that medical professionals must not disclose a patient's medical information to anyone else without the patient's permission, unless there are specific circumstances that require disclosure, such as a court order or threat to the patient or others.
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 +In psychotherapy, confidentiality is even more crucial, as the therapy relationship is built on trust and the sharing of personal thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapists are bound by strict ethical and legal requirements to maintain the confidentiality of their patients, except in limited circumstances, such as when there is a clear and immediate risk of harm to the patient or others. This means that psychotherapists cannot disclose any information about their patients or their therapy sessions to anyone else without the patient's written consent, except when required by law.
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 +Confidentiality in medical ethics and psychotherapy is crucial for ensuring that patients feel safe and secure in their medical and therapeutic relationships and that their privacy is protected. It is also a fundamental aspect of patient autonomy, as patients have the right to control who has access to their personal health information.
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 +====Breaches====
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 +There have been several famous cases of confidentiality breaches in the medical and psychotherapy fields. 
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 +Some examples include:
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 +  * **The Tarasoff case** - This was a landmark case in 1976 in which the Supreme Court of California ruled that psychotherapists have a duty to warn potential victims if their patient presents a serious threat of violence. This case set a precedent for breaking confidentiality in cases where there is an imminent risk of harm to others.
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 +  * **The Hanssen case** - Robert Hanssen, a former FBI agent, was arrested in 2001 for spying for the Soviet Union and Russia. He had undergone psychological evaluations while employed by the FBI, and the psychologist who evaluated him was later accused of breaching confidentiality by sharing Hanssen's information with the FBI.
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 +  * **The HIPAA breach** - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to protect the privacy of medical records and personal health information. However, there have been several high-profile cases of data breaches that have exposed the personal health information of millions of patients, including the theft of laptops containing unencrypted patient data and the hacking of healthcare databases.
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 +  * **The Gosport War Memorial Hospital case** - In 2018, an inquiry found that hundreds of patients had died prematurely at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital due to the administration of powerful painkillers without medical justification. The inquiry found that medical records had been altered to cover up the extent of the problem, leading to a breach of confidentiality and a loss of trust in the healthcare system.
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 +  * **The NHS data breach** - In 2020, it was revealed that the personal data of millions of patients had been accessed and potentially stolen in a large-scale cyberattack on the National Health Service (NHS). The breach included patient names, addresses, dates of birth, and in some cases, sensitive medical information, leading to a serious breach of confidentiality and raising concerns about the security of the NHS data.
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 +  * **The Winterbourne View case** - In 2011, a BBC Panorama investigation exposed widespread abuse and neglect of patients with learning disabilities at the Winterbourne View care home. The investigation revealed that staff had failed to protect the confidentiality of their patients, as they had shared intimate details about the patients' lives and medical conditions with each other and with visitors to the home.
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 +These cases highlight the importance of maintaining confidentiality in the medical and psychotherapy fields, as well as the consequences of breaches of confidentiality. They also underscore the need for clear ethical and legal guidelines to govern when and how confidentiality may be broken in exceptional circumstances.
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 ====Conclusion==== ====Conclusion====
  
 Overall, medical ethics is a complex and multifaceted field that deals with the ethical issues that arise in the practice of medicine. It is concerned with respecting the autonomy of patients, minimizing harm, acting in the best interests of patients, and ensuring the fair and just allocation of resources. By adhering to these principles, healthcare professionals can provide the highest quality of care to their patients and uphold the ethical standards of the medical profession. Overall, medical ethics is a complex and multifaceted field that deals with the ethical issues that arise in the practice of medicine. It is concerned with respecting the autonomy of patients, minimizing harm, acting in the best interests of patients, and ensuring the fair and just allocation of resources. By adhering to these principles, healthcare professionals can provide the highest quality of care to their patients and uphold the ethical standards of the medical profession.
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  • Last modified: 2023/01/09 07:27
  • by andrewtaustin