Law & Ethics for Medical Careers

American Medical Association Principles

A code of ethics for members of the AMA, written in 1847

protocol

A code prescribing correct behavior in a specific situation, such as a situation arising in a medical office

summary judgment

A decision made by a court in a lawsuit in response to a motion that pleads there is no basis for a trial

bioethics

A discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research methods and results, especialy in medicine.

Hippocratic oath

A pledge for physicians, developed by the Greek physician Hippocrates circa 400 B.C.E

liable

Accountable under the law

Ethics committee

Committee made up of individuals who are involved in a patient's care, including health care practitioners, family members, clergy, and others, with the prupose of reviewing ethical issues in difficult cases

precedent

Decisions made by judges in the various courts that become rule of law and apply to future cases, even though they were not enacted by a legislature; AKA case law

fraud

Dishonest or deceitful practices in depriving, or attempting to deprive, another of his or her rights.

moral values

One's personal concept of right and wrong, formed through the influence of the family, culture, and society

litigious

Prone to engage in lawsuits

law

Rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority

medical ethicist or boiethicist

Specialists who consult with physicians, researchers, and others to help them make difficult ethical decisions regarding patient care

ethics

Standaards of behavior, developed as a result of one's concept of right and wrong

etiquette

Standards of behavior considered to be good manners among member of a profession as they function as individuals in society

compassion

The identivication with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives

plaintiff

The person bringing charges in a lawsuit

defendant

The person or party against whom criminal or civil charges are brought in a lawsuit

ethics guidelines

publications that detail a wide variety of ethical situations that professionals might face in their work and offer principles for dealing with the situations in an ethical manner

common sense

sound practical judgment

courtesy

the practice of good manners