Chapter 13 - Perioperative medical ethics

Abstract

Ethical questions arise frequently in medicine. Many assume that if they act in good faith and are well intentioned, they do not need to learn about medical ethics; the proper solution will simply present itself. Unfortunately, being a good person and meaning well is not enough. Like other disciplines, medical ethics involves learning to think through ethical dilemmas using reason, knowledge, and problem solving techniques. Understanding medical ethics provides one with the tools necessary to recognize, analyze, and manage ethical dilemmas as they arise. Informed consent is the cornerstone of the patient-physician relationship and no discussion of medical ethics can go very far without its consideration. The goal of informed consent is to maximize the ability of patients to make reasonably informed decisions about their care, based on their understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedures/plan of care they are considering receiving.