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Ethical Principles in Healthcare Practice

The document outlines three key ethical principles in healthcare: confidentiality, veracity, and fidelity. It emphasizes the importance of protecting patient privacy, providing truthful information, and maintaining trust through loyalty and commitment. Each principle is illustrated with examples that highlight the balance between ethical responsibilities and legal obligations.

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marklouie budias
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66 views2 pages

Ethical Principles in Healthcare Practice

The document outlines three key ethical principles in healthcare: confidentiality, veracity, and fidelity. It emphasizes the importance of protecting patient privacy, providing truthful information, and maintaining trust through loyalty and commitment. Each principle is illustrated with examples that highlight the balance between ethical responsibilities and legal obligations.

Uploaded by

marklouie budias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Manguanta, Mechaelah Khrystle Y.

BSN 2A

1. Principle of Confidentiality
- This principle emphasizes the ethical duty to protect the privacy of individuals and this
also includes the patients, clients, and research subjects by keeping their personal
information private and secure, only disclosing it with their explicit consent or when
legally required.

1.) HIV Diagnosis:


A doctor does not inform a patient’s partner or employer of their HIV-positive
status without the patient’s consent
Key idea: Even sensitive information must be protected unless disclosure is ethically
justified.

2.) Teenage Pregnancy:


A 17-year-old tells her doctor she is pregnant but doesn’t want her parents to
know. The doctor respects this unless there’s a legal obligation to inform guardians.
Key idea: This is balancing confidentiality and legal responsibility.

3.) Electronic Health Records:


A nurse avoids discussing patient cases in public areas and logs out of the hospital
system to prevent unauthorized access.
Key idea: Confidentiality also includes responsible data handling in digital systems.

2. Principle of Veracity
- Or truth-telling, this principle emphasizes the importance of honesty and providing
accurate information to patients, fostering trust and enabling informed decision-making.

1.) Cancer Diagnosis:


A physician tells a patient they have stage 4 cancer, even though it's difficult
news, because the patient has a right to know and plan accordingly.
Key idea: Honest disclosure respects autonomy.

2.) Medication Side Effects:


A pharmacist informs a patient that the drug they are prescribed could cause
severe drowsiness and must not be mixed with alcohol.
Key idea: Providing all relevant facts ensures informed consent.

3.)Experimental Treatment:
A researcher clearly explains that a clinical trial is experimental and may not
work, instead of overselling it as a cure.
Key idea: Truthfulness in research protects participants.

3. Principle of Fidelity
- The principle of fidelity emphasizes loyalty, trustworthiness, and keeping promises,
ensuring healthcare professionals act in patients' best interests and uphold professional
standards.
1.) Follow-Up Care:
A doctor promises to call with lab results and does so promptly, maintaining the
patient’s trust.
Key idea: Following through on commitments.

2.) Nursing Care:


A nurse continues to advocate for a patient’s pain relief despite resistance from
other staff.
Key idea: Loyalty to patient welfare and advocacy.

3.) Informed Consent:


A researcher honors an agreement that a participant can withdraw from a study at
any time without penalty.
Key idea: Upholding promises and respecting autonomy,

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