Medical Ethics - Duty

It has been argued that the only ethical acts are ones of 'duty'. For instance,

• a duty to protect third parties,
• a duty to act in the patient's interests,
• a duty of confidentiality, and
• a duty of candour - the obligation to tell patients the full truth about potentially available treatment options.

The emphasis on duty is part of an area of ethics called deontology.

Professional ethical duties are sometimes enshrined in legislation, for instance the Mental Health Act and the Children's Act in the UK. No single Act of Parliament covers all of a doctor's duties.

Professional statutory bodies such as the General Medical Council may list duties as they see them. There is something of an obligation for doctors to act ethically according to these codes of conduct.

Adapted from: Dr Ben Green, http://www.priory.com/ethics.htm

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Written by: Michael Harris

Last updated: 16 September 2006