Non-maleficence

Definition

Non-maleficence is an ethical principle that requires healthcare providers and others to avoid causing harm or inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering on individuals. It is a fundamental tenet of medical ethics, emphasizing the obligation to protect patients from harm and to act in their best interests.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Non-maleficence is one of the four fundamental principles of biomedical ethics, along with beneficence, autonomy, and justice.
2. It requires healthcare providers to weigh the potential benefits and risks of any medical intervention, and to prioritize the minimization of harm.
3. Non-maleficence is particularly important in situations where the potential for harm is high, such as in experimental treatments or end-of-life care.
4. The principle of non-maleficence can sometimes conflict with other ethical principles, such as respect for patient autonomy or the pursuit of beneficial outcomes.
5. Adherence to the principle of non-maleficence is a key component of the Hippocratic Oath, which requires physicians to 'first, do no harm' (primum non nocere).

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of non-maleficence is applied in the context of biomedical ethics.
  • The principle of non-maleficence requires healthcare providers to carefully consider the potential risks and harms associated with any medical intervention or treatment, and to prioritize the minimization of harm to the patient. This involves weighing the potential benefits against the potential risks, and ensuring that the benefits outweigh the risks. Healthcare providers must also respect the patient's autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their own care, while still upholding the obligation to avoid causing harm.
• Describe how the principle of non-maleficence might come into conflict with other ethical principles in biomedical decision-making.
  • The principle of non-maleficence can sometimes conflict with other important ethical principles, such as respect for patient autonomy or the pursuit of beneficial outcomes. For example, a patient may request a risky or experimental treatment that could potentially cause harm, but which they believe could also provide significant benefits. In such cases, the healthcare provider must carefully weigh the competing ethical considerations and make a decision that balances the obligation to avoid harm with the respect for patient autonomy and the potential for positive outcomes.
• Analyze the role of non-maleficence in end-of-life care, and how it might inform decisions about withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatments.
  • In the context of end-of-life care, the principle of non-maleficence takes on particular importance. Healthcare providers must carefully consider the potential harms and burdens associated with continued life-sustaining treatments, such as prolonged suffering, decreased quality of life, and financial and emotional strain on the patient and their family. At the same time, they must respect the patient's autonomy and any advance directives or expressed wishes regarding their end-of-life care. The principle of non-maleficence may guide decisions to withdraw or withhold certain treatments, in order to minimize harm and suffering, while still upholding the patient's right to make informed choices about their care.

Related terms

Beneficence: The ethical principle of acting in the best interest of the patient or individual, promoting their wellbeing and providing benefits.

Autonomy: The right of an individual to make their own informed decisions about their medical care and treatment, without undue influence or coercion.

Justice: The fair and equitable treatment of all individuals, ensuring that everyone has access to the same level of care and resources.