The role of ethical principles in health care and the implications for ethical codes

Journal/Book: J Med Ethics. 1999; 25: Tavistock House East, Tavistock Square, London, England WC1H 9Jr. Prof Sci Publ. 394-398.

Abstract: A common ethical code for everybody involved in health care is desirable, but there are important limitations to the role such a code could play. In order to understand these limitations the approach to ethics using principles and their application to medicine is discussed, and in particular the implications of their being prima facie. The expectation of what an ethical code cart do changes depending on how ethical properties in general are understood The difficulties encountered when ethical values are applied reactively to an objective world can be avoided by seeing them as a more integral part of our understanding of the world. It is concluded that an ethical code can establish important values and describe a common ethical context for health care but is of limited use in solving new and complex ethical problems.

Note: Article Limentani AE, E Kent Hlth Author, Protea House, New Bridge, Marine Parade, Dover CT17 9AW, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): ethical principles; codes of professional ethics; philosophical ethics; medical ethics; HIPPOCRATIC OATH

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