Professional Code of Conduct
Introduction
The professional code of conduct within the healthcare setting establishes and defines the ethical rules, standards, and principles of medical physicians and practitioners, which determine their professional work priorities. It presents the guiding principles of the medical practitioners in relation to their patients, other medical practitioners as well as the rest of the community.
Among these ethical standards, the most significant ethical imperative is assurance of the best welfare of the patients. In relation to this, the present paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the principles of ethics contained within the professional code of ethics within my workplace. The provision observed in the discussion of these principles is that the nurses have a primary commitment to their patients.
Patient Autonomy
It is a principle of the ethical code of conduct, which stipulates that patients have the right to make decisions regarding their medical care. They have the right to exercise their independent decisions, without the influence of the healthcare providers. Patient autonomy principle requires the health care physician to educate and inform the patient but prohibits the practitioner to make a decision for his or her patient. In this context, as illustrated by Garrett, Baillie & McGeehan (2013), the healthcare provider has a duty and responsibility to give their patient a competent opportunity to make informed decisions, regarding their medical treatments. For instance, the patient has a right to decide whether she or he should undergo an operation or not. The principle states that failure of the medical practitioner to provide such condition would amount to the prosecution of the battery.
Paternalism
Paternalism is a condition in which there is a dominant attitude of one party over another party. Within the healthcare setting, it implies a situation where the wishes and preferences of the patients were overridden by that of the healthcare provider. In this case, the physician decides on what is best for the patient. Concerning this principle, the professional code of conduct requires the healthcare providers to include the views of the patients in the decision-making process, and more particularly, to ensure the wishes of the patients and independence of the patients are observed. However, the health practitioners, as illustrated by Allwood, Johansson, Olsson & Tuna(2015), are encouraged to apply paternalism, to ensure the well-being of the patient. For instance, the doctor may restrict the use of drugs and certain foods that would worsen the patient’s health conditions. The overall aim and strength of this principle within the professional code of conduct is to ensure the well-being of the patients.
The patients’ right to refuse treatment
The principle maintains that the patient reserves all the rights to refuse treatment. More specifically, the principle illustrates that the consent of the patient must be obtained before any medical treatment is given, ranging from a mere blood test to donating their body organs after death (Garrett, Baillie & McGeehan, 2013). As a result, the principle stipulates that patients refusal of treatment must be …
