Non-maleficence

Definition

Non-maleficence is an ethical principle that obligates healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. This principle underlines the importance of ensuring patient safety and emphasizes the need to weigh the potential risks and benefits of any medical intervention. It is a cornerstone of ethical decision-making in healthcare, promoting a culture of care where the well-being of patients is prioritized.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Non-maleficence is often summarized by the phrase 'do no harm,' highlighting its fundamental role in medical ethics.
2. Healthcare providers must consider not only the direct effects of treatments but also potential side effects and long-term consequences when applying non-maleficence.
3. This principle is essential in situations involving high-risk procedures or treatments, where the potential for harm may be significant.
4. Balancing non-maleficence with beneficence can create ethical dilemmas, as some interventions that promote well-being may also carry risks.
5. Training and guidelines in healthcare often emphasize non-maleficence to ensure that practitioners maintain high standards of patient safety.

Review Questions

• How does the principle of non-maleficence interact with the practice of informed consent in healthcare?
  • Non-maleficence interacts closely with informed consent as it requires healthcare providers to fully disclose potential risks and harms associated with a treatment or procedure. By ensuring that patients understand these risks, providers uphold their obligation not to cause harm while respecting patient autonomy. This interaction reinforces the need for clear communication, so patients can make informed choices that align with their own values and preferences.
• Discuss a scenario where adhering to non-maleficence might conflict with beneficence and how a healthcare professional should navigate this conflict.
  • In a scenario where a patient requires surgery for a life-threatening condition, there may be a significant risk of complications. Adhering to non-maleficence would caution against proceeding with the surgery due to potential harm, while beneficence would advocate for the surgery as it could save the patient's life. A healthcare professional should navigate this conflict by carefully weighing the risks and benefits, discussing options with the patient, and considering alternatives to provide optimal care without causing undue harm.
• Evaluate the broader implications of non-maleficence within public health policies, especially during a health crisis.
  • Non-maleficence has critical implications in public health policies, particularly during health crises like pandemics. Policymakers must balance interventions designed to protect public health, such as vaccinations or quarantine measures, against potential harms these actions may inflict on individual rights and mental health. Evaluating these broader implications requires a nuanced understanding of how to implement strategies that maximize community safety while minimizing harm, ensuring that public trust is maintained even when difficult decisions must be made.

Related terms

Beneficence:

An ethical principle that refers to actions taken to promote the well-being of patients and enhance their health.

Autonomy:

The right of patients to make informed choices about their own healthcare and treatment options.

Justice: The ethical principle that emphasizes fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and the treatment of patients.