PHI-413V Topic 3 DQ 1

The four principles of biomedical ethics, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States, have often been critiqued for raising the principle of autonomy to the highest place, such that it trumps all other principles or values. Based on your worldview, how do you rank the importance of each of the four principles in order to protect the health and safety of diverse populations?
Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to the “Discussion Question Rubric” and “Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns with AACN Core Competencies: 3.1

Solution

The four principles of biomediccal ethics is beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and and justice. In a diverse society, like the United States, balancing these principles is crucial to ensure that healthcare decisions reflect the values, needs, and rights of all populations. One of the most important aspects that must be understood in using the four principles is that these four core principles do not immediately and directly provide a solution to most ethical dilemmas (Bogue et al, 2022). I would place justice at the top of the hierarchy, because equitable access to healthcare and fairness in treatment are foundational to protecting the health and safety of all populations, especially marginalized groups. Following justice, beneficence would come next, as the core mission of healthcare is to promote the well-being of individuals. Healthcare providers should always strive to act in the best interests of patients. Nonmaleficence, or the principle of “do no harm,” is also vital but ranks third in my view. Healthcare providers have a fundamental responsibility to avoid harm. This includes avoiding harm that arises from systemic inequities, implicit bias, or neglect of the needs of vulnerable populations. Lastly, autonomy would be ranked fourth. While autonomy is crucial in empowering individuals to make decisions about their own healthcare, it is not always the most important principle. Healthcare providers should aim to support autonomy while also ensuring that the patient’s choices are made within a context that promotes fairness, well-being, and minimal harm. For a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system that protects the health and safety of diverse populations, the principles should be balanced, with an emphasis on justice, followed by beneficence nonmaleficence, and then autonomy. This approach ensures that the needs of vulnerable populations are met while still respecting individuals’ rights and promoting overall well-being. Ethics is an inherent and inseparable part of clinical medicine as the physician has an ethical obligation to benefit the patient, to avoid or minimize harm, and to respect the values and preferences of the patient (Varkey, 2021).

Bogue, D. W., Jr, M. C., Torre, V. J. D. L., Evans, K. A., Hoehner, P. J., Hogan M., White, N. H. (2022). Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care. Grand Canyon University. https://bibliu.com/app/?bibliuMagicToken=KCl5Okd4pnyrixak10YljSCSvV4nz1Ya#/view/books/B1B4SGSSID7LR/epub/Chapter1.html

Varkey B. (2021). Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice. Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119

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