Lecture on Medical Ethics and the Role of Ethics Committees

Importance of Ethics in Medicine

• Ethics is fundamental to every profession, especially in medicine.
• Ethical behavior is more crucial than legal compliance.
• Example: COVID-19 and healthcare workers' ethical decisions.
• Influence of religious texts like Bhagavad Gita on ethics (Dharma, Adharma).
• Origin of the term 'ethics' from the Greek word 'ethos' meaning character.

Historical Perspective

• Greeks established the Hippocratic Oath in the 4th century BC.
• The Hippocratic Oath emphasizes the physician's duty to benefit patients.
• Importance of the Guru-Shishya tradition in ancient Indian medicine.
• Post-World War II developments: Nuremberg Code, Declaration of Geneva.

Medical Ethics Evolution

• Percival Thomas' classification of medical ethics in 1849.
• Helsinki Declaration and its impact on medical ethics.
• Growth of medical ethics in surgical practice.

Medical Ethics in Education

• Need for integrating medical ethics in undergraduate curriculum.
• Influence of school moral education on medical ethics principles.

Surgeon-Patient Relationship

• Treat patients like family, irrespective of their background.
• Essential qualities: Respect, trust, empathy, honesty.
• Four pillars of biomedical ethics: Autonomy, Justice, Beneficence, Non-maleficence.

Key Ethical Principles

1. Autonomy: Respect patient's decision-making rights.
2. Justice: Fair distribution of healthcare resources, dignity in treatment.
3. Beneficence: Act in the best interest of the patient.
4. Non-maleficence: Do no harm.

Informed Consent

• Informed consent involves comprehensive patient education about procedures and risks.
• Should be obtained prior to surgery, not under duress.

Ethical Issues in Surgical Practice

• Institutional ethics committees oversee research and clinical trials.
• Importance of protecting patient privacy and dignity during and after surgery.
• Avoiding unethical behavior such as discussing patient details inappropriately.

Professional Conduct

• Truthfulness in interactions with patients regarding who performs the surgery.
• Importance of team-based approach and honesty about the surgical process.

Confidentiality and Professional Secrecy

• Patient information should only be disclosed to authorized entities.
• Always introduce oneself to the patient and avoid using medical jargon.

Modern Challenges

• Managing patient expectations and interactions with Google-informed patients.
• Legal and ethical implications of conflicts of interest, advertising, and rebates.

Summary of Ethical Practice

• The greatest surgeon is defined by ethical practice, not just skill or knowledge.
• Ethical practice includes knowing when not to operate and treating every patient with dignity and respect.
• Avoiding unethical acts such as unnecessary exposure of the patient, inappropriate discussions, and advertising.

Role of Ethics Committees

• Oversee clinical trials and research to ensure ethical standards are maintained.
• Address any unethical practices in trials and studies.

Conclusion

• Medical ethics is integral to professional conduct in medicine.
• Continuous learning and adherence to ethical principles are essential for success in the medical field.

Q&A Session Highlights

• Ethics Committees ensure trials are conducted ethically.
• Importance of adhering to established ethical norms, even in challenging situations.

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