Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence (pronounced non-mal-uh-fuh-suhns) is a fundamental principle in medical ethics that obligates healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients. The term is derived from the Latin phrase "primum non nocere," which translates to "first, do no harm."
Etymology
The term "non-maleficence" is derived from the Latin words "non" meaning "not," and "maleficium" meaning "wrongdoing" or "mischief." In the context of medical ethics, it refers to the principle of not causing harm intentionally.
Related Terms
- Beneficence: This principle refers to the act of doing good or performing actions that promote the well-being of others. In healthcare, it means taking steps to improve the patient's health, to prevent and remove harm, and to promote the patient's welfare.
- Autonomy: In medical ethics, autonomy refers to the right of the patient to retain control over his or her body. A healthcare professional must respect the decisions made by the patient regarding their treatment.
- Justice: In the context of healthcare, justice refers to the fair distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who gets what treatment (fairness and equality).
- Informed Consent: This is a process for getting permission before conducting a healthcare intervention on a patient.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Non-maleficence
- Wikipedia's article - Non-maleficence
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