What are the 4 ethical principles of healthcare?


Editorial team Published on

The four core ethical principles in healthcare are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.

1. Autonomy (Self-Determination)

  • Definition: Patients have the right to make their own choices about their medical care.
  • Key concepts: Informed consent, truth-telling, and respecting patient refusal of treatment, even if providers disagree.
  • Example: A capable patient declining a recommended surgery after being informed of the risks and benefits.

2. Beneficence (Acting for Benefit)

  • Definition: Healthcare providers have a duty to act in the best interest of the patient and promote their well-being.
  • Key concepts: Providing compassionate care, improving health, and balancing benefits against risks.
  • Example: Performing a necessary operation to remove a cancerous tumor to save a patient's life.

3. Non-Maleficence (Do No Harm)

  • Definition: Providers must avoid causing unnecessary harm or injury to the patient.
  • Key concepts: Minimizing unavoidable risks, avoiding dangerous or reckless practices, and knowing medication safety profiles.
  • Example: Weighing the side effects of a harsh drug and choosing a safer alternative when possible.

4. Justice (Fairness)

  • Definition: Healthcare resources and treatments must be distributed fairly and equitably among all people.
  • Key concepts: Equal treatment without discrimination based on wealth, race, or social status.
  • Example: Triage systems during a medical shortage that prioritize patients strictly by medical need and survival probability.

For a deeper dive into how these rules are taught, you can read the guidelines on the UK Clinical Ethics Network or review the clinical overview provided by the National Institutes of Health (PMC).