Year: 2015 | Month: December | Volume 2 | Issue 4
Ethics in Medicine - Concept for Public Health
Ammu Thampi Susheela
DOI:10.5958/2394-4196.2015.00023.0
Abstract:
With great power comes great responsibility,” our profession is a breathing example of this adage. While we graduate as doctors, we take the Hippocratic Oath, which emphasizes “Primum non-nocere” meaning “do no harm.” Still during the course of our practice, we come across situations that challenge our capacity for judgment to do the minimal amount of harm. Triage is one such situation. When the resources are scarce and situation demands contrast supply, we must be able to pass the correct judgment to make sure that we are using it wisely. Physician-assisted suicide is another end of the spectrum where we must make the decision based on ethical as well as practical standards. Such decisions could be done only if the person has worked ethics and moral integrity. Hence, medical practice is not only a test of knowledge but also the test of the integrity of character of the individual. Treating the person as a whole rather than a particular disease is the need of the hour. The doctor should understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patients and take necessary steps for the well-being of the patient. This requires entire time, attention, and patience toward the patients.
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