Application of Ethical principles and theory

Running Head: HEALTHCARE 0
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES: CASE STUDY
[Document subtitle]

HEALTHCARE 1
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Application of Ethical principles and theory.............................................................................2
Principle of autonomy............................................................................................................2
Principle of beneficence.........................................................................................................2
Principle of non-maleficence..................................................................................................3
Principle of veracity...............................................................................................................3
Principle of fidelity.................................................................................................................3
Principle of justice..................................................................................................................4
Utilitarianism theory...............................................................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

HEALTHCARE 2
Introduction
Ethics are the most important part of life as it directs the life of an individual to the
right track. In the medical world also, ethics play an important role in understanding the
needs and requirements of the patients and managing the situation of the emergency in the
best possible manner (Macklin, 2015). The mental and physical condition of the patient and
the closed ones should be taken into account as it affects the health of an individual. In the
case study, Mr. North is suffering from the deteriorating cardiac condition where he has been
told that no treatment could cure the condition and he would die within few days. On
knowing this, he requests the medical staff of the hospital to not to disclose his condition to
his wife as she suffers from anxiety and would not be able to cope with it. The following
essay will be discussing various theories and principles of ethics in context with the case
study.
Application of Ethical principles and theory
Principle of autonomy
In the recent times, various ethical principles have gained importance in the medical
sector where it has become important to take care of the rights of the patients. There are
various principles that include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, veracity, fidelity,
and justice. The autonomy principle states that every individual has the right to make
decisions of his life pertaining to himself with full authority (Farrugia, 2019). He is
completely capable of taking the decision in the sound minded state. In the case study, Mr.
North suffers from a cardiac disease and he is about to die within a few days. He is of sound
minded and asks the hospital authority to not to disclose the news of his untreatable illness to
his wife as she suffers from anxiety and would not be in the position to cope with it. Mr.
North decision should be valued as he has made the decision from the sound mindedness
position. According the principle of autonomy, Mr. north decision should be valued.
Principle of beneficence
The second important principle is beneficence which is concerned with the well-being
of other people in the society. The prime objective of the principle is to take that action that
results in the highest benefits to the patients and his family members (Balan, 2015).