The Importance of Medical Ethics
Medical ethics will follow medical students during their education and future careers, laying the foundation for good practice and helping ensure that patients receive quality and equitable care. Medical ethics, by definition, refers to a set of moral principles and values that govern the behavior of healthcare providers and guide decision-making in the medical field.
In clinical trials and research, medical ethics play a vital role in ensuring that the rights and well-being of participants are protected. From informed consent to the protection of human subjects and the appropriate use of placebo controls, medical ethics help to guide the ethical conduct of clinical trials and research. As explained by Shah in 2023, even something as seemingly small as informed consent “is both an ethical and legal obligation of medical practitioners in the US and originates from the patient's right to direct what happens to their body.” And specifically regarding research, the NIH reports that “by placing some people at risk of harm for the good of others, clinical research has the potential to exploit patient volunteers.” By understanding the principles of medical ethics, medical students can be prepared to conduct research safely while maintaining the well-being of participants and protecting the integrity of the medical field.
Additionally, medical ethics play a crucial role in shaping the patient-provider relationship. Medical ethics help to ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights and well-being are protected. Tulane University supports this, writing how “these considerations are an essential component of providing health care, as they help ensure practitioners treat their patients with dignity and respect and that the decisions made by healthcare professionals are fair and just.” A medical student must understand medical ethics to provide patient-centered care that is guided by compassion and professionalism. Furthermore, medical ethics are also essential in addressing complex ethical considerations that arise in the medical field. From difficult treatment decisions to end-of-life care, medical ethics provides a framework for ethical decision-making that helps to ensure that patients receive the care they need while protecting their rights and dignity.
Medical ethics also includes the principle of beneficence, which requires healthcare providers to prioritize the well-being of their patients over their interests, meaning that medical school students must be willing to put the needs of their patients first, even if it means going above and beyond what the expectations of them. Future physicians must be committed to providing care in the best interest of their patients and avoiding conflicts of interest that could compromise their professional judgment. The same article from Tulane also explains beneficence, and how “the challenge with this notion is identifying what is beneficial to each patient. Before acting, healthcare practitioners should learn about and consider each patient’s individual goals, needs, and experiences.” Furthermore, medical school students must stay up-to-date on the latest medical research and advances in their field and apply this knowledge to their practice. Students must also be willing to challenge their beliefs and biases and critically evaluate new information and treatment options.
Overall, for future physicians, understanding the importance of medical ethics is critical in ensuring they are prepared to provide patient-centered care with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Medical students need to understand and internalize these ethical principles to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and provide quality care to their patients. Despite the potential limitations of residency programs, medical students must strive to uphold these ethical principles and provide the highest standard of care to their patients. From clinical trials and research to the patient-provider relationship, medical ethics is a vital aspect of the medical field, ensuring that patients are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights and well-being are protected.
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“Ethics in Clinical Research | Clinical Center Home Page.” Nih.gov, 2021, clinicalcenter.nih.gov/recruit/ethics.html. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
“The Ethical Implications of Clinical Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.” Americanbar.org, 2021, www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/the-truth-about-science/the-ethical-implications-of-clinical-trials/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
Olejarczyk, Jacob P, and Michael Young. “Patient Rights and Ethics.” Nih.gov, StatPearls Publishing, 28 Nov. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538279/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.
“Ethics in Health Care: Improving Patient Outcomes.” School of Public Health, 19 Jan. 2023, publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/ethics-in-healthcare/. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.
“Ethics in Clinical Research | Clinical Center Home Page.” Nih.gov, 2021, clinicalcenter.nih.gov/recruit/ethics.html. Accessed 4 Sept. 2024.
