The diagram below provides a framework for examining and studying ethical issues individually or as a group. Following this process will help you organize the facts and contextual paramaters of the dillemma so that you can look at the situation objectively and choose a course of action based on logic rather than on emotions. Select each step to learn more about it.


Step 4: Define Guiding Principles
Clinical practice builds on a foundation of core values. Professional standards of practice and laws related to the rights and obligations of all involved should be factored into the problem solving process. Many professional organizations publish standards to help guide ethical decision making. While formal codes and policy statements are sometimes contradictory and rarely provide a comprehensive solution, it is critical to use them as a reference to ensure that your decisions and actions conform to broad ethical principles.Generally accepted principles of biomedical ethics include:

  • Principle of Respect for Autonomy: The duty to respect individual liberty, values, beliefs & choices.

  • Principle of Nonmaleficence: The duty not to inflict harm or evil.

  • Principle of Beneficence: The duty to do good and prevent or remove harm.

  • Principle of Formal Justice: The duty to treat equals equally & those who are unequal by their needs.

  • Rule of Veracity: The duty to tell the truth and not to decieve others.

  • Rule of Fidelity: The duty to honor commitments.

  • Rule of Confidentiality: The duty not to disclose information shared in an intimate and trusted manner.

  • Rule of Privacy: The duty to respect limited access to a person.