An introduction to Medical Ethics
Ethics (Greek ethika, from ethos, “character,” “custom”) relate to principles or standards of human conduct, and every culture has developed an ethic of its own. In the context of health care, vast improvements in medical technology, increasing commercialization of healthcare and growing awareness in patients have brought issues of medical ethics to the forefront. The ever-increasing abilities of medicine raise fundamental value questions of how society should use these abilities and how much of them society can afford to use. The very success of medicine has made its practice morally complex.
While standards and practice of medical ethics vary greatly across cultures, the following oath embodies the universal ethical posture of doctor and the implicit expectations of a patient.
May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.
Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.
Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of today.
Oh, God, you have appointed me to watch over the life and death of your creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my calling.
"The Oath of Maimonides"
The International Code of Medical Ethics of the World Medical Association outlines common ethical principles and the following elements narrate the duties of physicians to the sick. |
There is no generalization possible in medicine. The pages included in this website are purely educational and have been presented for information purpose only. Each section has been prepared with utmost care but should not be used as a substitute for your own physician's advice and care. Please see 
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