medical ethics

Last edited 03/2020

Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values to the practice of clinical medicine and in scientific research

  • based on a set of values that professionals can refer to in the case of any confusion or conflict

What are the four pillars of Medical Ethics?

The “four pillars” are a framework for analysing the best action to take in a given situation. To use this approach, you must consider whether your actions are in compliance with the following four factors:

  1. Beneficence (doing good)
  2. Non-maleficence (to do no harm)
  3. Autonomy (giving the patient the freedom to choose freely, where they are able)
  4. Justice (ensuring fairness)