In my opinion, the four principles of biomedical ethics—beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy—should be applied to prioritize the well-being of individuals while also considering the greater good of society. Clinical medicine is inherently and inseparably linked to ethics, as doctors have an ethical duty to assist patients, prevent or limit harm, and honor their beliefs and choices (Varkey, 2021). Ethical healthcare must balance personal freedoms with the responsibility to promote health, prevent harm, and ensure fairness for all.

I would rank beneficence first because the fundamental goal of healthcare is to promote well-being and improve health outcomes. The beneficence concept in nursing care can positively impact patients, improving their health and well-being, lowering their mortality rate, raising patient satisfaction, and upholding their human dignity and respect (Cheraghi et al., 2023). Medical professionals must act in ways that benefit both individual patients and communities as a whole. Preventive measures such as vaccination programs, early disease detection, and patient education are all grounded in beneficence. If individual preferences were always prioritized over beneficence, healthcare interventions that protect public health could be compromised, putting entire populations at risk.

I would rank non-maleficence second, as preventing harm is just as crucial as doing good. Healthcare providers must carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatments to ensure that their actions do not cause unnecessary suffering. This principle extends beyond individual care to broader health policies, such as ensuring drug safety and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases (Bifarin & Stonehouse, 2022). Medical decisions could lead to unintended harm without a strong commitment to non-maleficence, undermining patient trust and well-being.

I would rank justice third, as fair and equal access to healthcare is essential for protecting diverse populations. Justice ensures that healthcare resources are distributed equitably, allowing all individuals to receive appropriate care regardless of socioeconomic status or background (Varkey, 2021). Marginalized communities often face systemic barriers to healthcare, and ethical medical practices must work to eliminate these disparities. Policies promoting justice help ensure all patients receive fair treatment, improving overall health equity and social well-being.

Finally, I would place autonomy fourth, as personal decision-making must sometimes be limited to protect public health. While individuals have the right to choose their own healthcare, those choices should not come at the expense of broader community safety. In situations such as infectious disease outbreaks or vaccine mandates, restrictions on autonomy may be necessary to prevent harm to others. Ethical healthcare decision-making requires balancing individual freedoms with the collective responsibility to safeguard public health.

References

Bifarin, O., & Stonehouse, D. (2022). Beneficence and non-maleficence: collaborative practice and harm mitigation. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 16(2), 70-74. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjha.2022.16.2.70

Cheraghi, R., Valizadeh, L., Zamanzadeh, V., Hassankhani, H., & Jafarzadeh, A. (2023). Clarification of ethical principle of the beneficence in nursing care: an integrative review. BMC nursing, 22(1), 89. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12912-023-01246-4

Varkey, B. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice, 30(1), 17-28. https://karger.com/mpp/article-abstract/30/1/17/204816