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Medical ethics:

is primarily a field of applied ethics, the study of moral values and judgments as they apply
to medicine

code of ethics:

ethical codes are often considered to be characteristic of professions, as opposed to craft


and trade associations.

 Value in medical ethics:

 Six of the values that commonly apply to medical ethics discussions are:

1-Autonomy - the patient has the right to refuse or choose their treatment.
2-Beneficence - a practitioner should act in the best interest of the patient.
3-Non-maleficence - "first, do no harm"

4-Justice ʹ concerns the distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who
gets what treatment (fairness and equality).
5-Dignity - the patient (and the person treating the patient) have the right to dignity.
6-Truthfulness and honesty

ethical codes are often considered to be characteristic of professions, as opposed to craft


and trade associations.

They are particularly common within health care professions, where they set guidelines
for how professionals should act in dealings with their patients and with each other in
clinical care.

 The History of Medical Ethics:


Each country has a different code of medical ethics, though most contain the same basic
principles, and all share the same history of evolution, according to the World Medical
Association.

 Hippocratic Oath:

The first basic guideline for medical ethics was introduced during the life of Hippocrates, a
classical Greek physician who lived between 460 and 377 BC.

Hippocrates' three-word phrase created the first ethical law in the field of medicine. The
phrase, now known as the Hippocratic Oath, began as the simple phrase, "Do no harm,"

Ancient Medical Texts:

A century after the time of Hippocrates, the cultures of India and China had established a
groundwork of of morals and virtues to be exemplified by medical practitioners.

These first guidelines established models of physician humility, concern, and compassion
for patients.

Religions of this time influenced the creation of this code of behavior by establishing a
basic understanding of the sacred relationship between medical practitioners and their
patients.

  The Enlightenment:

During the intellectual revolution of the eighteenth century, numerous medical advances
took place in the West, including the publishing of the first book discussing medical ethics.
Thomas Percival, a British physician, published his book "Code of Medical Ethics," in the
year 1803.

At nearly the same time, medical students attending the University of Pennsylvania, began
to be lectured by physician Benjamin Rush regarding the importance of medical ethics.

Nineteenth Century:

In 1847, the American Medical Association was formed in order to establish a definite
code of medical ethics because no government laws established medical regulations.

The first code of ethics established the line between modern medical practitioners and
homeopathic and faith-based healers, in addition to further defining proper medical
conduct and relationships between medical professionals and their patients.

Modern Codes:

Because medical ethics are an important area of study for medical professionals,
more than 25 universities across Canada and the United States provide graduate
degree programs in the field of medical ethics.
Modern codes are published yearly with later editions including the most current
guidelines.

The books are written and revised by the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs of
the American Medical Association.

Codes of Ethics Collectiong

The library of CSEP began collecting codes of ethics over 20 years ago. As our collection
grew, more people became aware of its existence and began asking for access. At that
time, the best the library could do for individuals who were not in the Chicago area was to
photocopy the requested code and mail it to the requestor. With the advent of the
Internet, it seemed clear that digitizing the codes and making them accessible over the
World-Wide Web would benefit researchers, students, and professionals alike.

Codes of ethics are controversial documents. Some writers have suggested that codes of
professional ethics are pointless and unnecessary.

Many others believe that codes are useful and important, but disagree about why. IIT's
Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions is committed to the importance of codes
of ethics, and we have undertaken the Online Ethics Codes Project in order to enhance
access to a very wide variety of codes.

Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethicsg

Clear representation of perspective ʹ readers must understand the training and overall
perspective of the author of a blog.

Confidentiality ʹ Bloggers must respect the nature of the relationship between patient and
medical professionals and the clear need for confidentiality.

Commercial Disclosure ʹ the presence or absence of commercial ties of the author must be
made clear for the readers. If the author is using their blog to pitch a product, it must be
clear that they are doing that.

Reliability of Information ʹ citing sources when appropriate and changing inaccuracies


when they are pointed out

Courtesy ʹ Bloggers should not engage in personal attacks, nor should they allow their
commenters to do so.

Patient Blogs:

Not all medically-oriented blogs are written by medical professionals. Patient experience
is a very important part of medicne

There are two main types of codes of ethics:


1-The short code of ethics.

2-The longer code of ethics.

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Code of ethics for phsical therapist:

This Code of Ethics   


            
  
 


 

 
   
  

     
  
 
         

  
 
 



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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The need for physical therapy is universal. The service of the physical therapist, is
therefore, unrestricted by considerations of nationality , or any social status.

2. Each Physical Therapist shall act as representative of the whole profession and as such,
conduct himself with honor and integrity.

3. A Physical Therapist must serve the patient͛s interest with the greatest solicitude, giving
always his best skills and knowledge.

4. A Physical Therapist must safe reputation and dignity of his colleagues.

DUTIES TOWARD THE PATIENT:

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DUTIES TO THE PUBLIC :

1-A Physical Therapist should cooperate with the proper authorities in the promotion of
health in the community.

He must inform the public about diseases, their dangers, cures and prevention.
2. A Physical Therapist must render services unselfishly to the indigent, in accordance with
written referral of a registered and licensed physician.

  DUTIES TOWARD ALLIED PROFESSIONALS:

1. A PT must cooperate with, and safeguard the interests, reputation and dignity of other
allied health professionals.

2. A PT should not involve himself in the promotion or sale of any medical device
apparatus or drugs.

3. A PT must be imbued with a mutual confidence, respect and faith in allied professionals
joining them in cheerful cooperation and self-sacrifices for the common good.

4. A PT should organize and leave all the record and other data necessary to carry out the
work for his success or before leaving his position.

5. A PT must make due acknowledgment of assistance received from his associates.

6. Professional criticism of associates should be made only for the welfare of the patient
and service

and only in a formal accusation before the proper authority to try the case on its merits.

7. A PT must report to the Proper authorities any knowledge of unethical practices being

carried on by any member of any profession and be willing to testify in an investigation of


such charges if requested.

8. A PT must not criticize the qualifications of any competitor in order to gain preference

in employment.

DUTIES TO THE PHYSICIAN:

1. A Physical Therapist must give the treatment only upon the prescription/or
consultation/or referral of

a duly registered physician.

2. A Physical Therapist must give all necessary information concerning the case to the
physician-incharge, during the progress of the treatment.

 DUTIES TO THE PROFESSION:

1. A Physical Therapist does not base his practice on any exclusive dogma or sectarian
system. He should pursue studies to improve his efficiency and enhance the prestige of the
profession.
2. A Physical Therapist must avoid any conduct which may cause discredit to the
 profession. Mobility of character should be the guiding principle.

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shall be binding on all physical therapists.

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of the American Physical Therapy Association sets forth principles for
the ethical practice of physical therapy. All physical therapists are responsible for
maintaining and promoting ethical practice.

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Medical Ethics in Islamic history:

It will also be of interest to note that problems faced by the physicians and the patient
today are not any different from the problems faced in earlier periods of history.

Would like to quote some sayings of prophet Mohammad (PNUH) on responsibility of the
physicians.
" a person who practice art of healing when he is not acquainted with medicine, will be
responsible for his action."

In other Hadith the prophet said:

" O servant of allah, seek treatment, for allah has not send down any illness

without sending down its treatment."

Islamic teachings made treatment mandatory when it was definitely available, and also if
holding off this treatment would be harmful.

But if one is unsure of any benefit from a treatment and any harm if feared, then it is
discouraged.

These principles were designed to discourage quackery & protect the patients.

One of the most extensive works dealing with ethics was written in the 10th century by
Ishaq ibn Ali Ruhawi, a Christian who embraced Islam.

His book, adab al-tabib (ethics of a physician) is an extensive work. Its English translation
appears in the transactions of the American philosophical society, Philadelphia.

The Islamic philosophy and the Muslim code was so realistic & practical that al-Ruhawi
was at case in dealing with this difficult subject.

The society was changing from a tribal primitive society to a more orderly society with
emphasis on human values and strong religious feelings. These were times of great
changes.

Therefore, the setting for this work was not any different from the one prevailing at
present.

Also in the 9th century, when the medical profession was a well respected specialty and its
leaders kept it this way by laying down proper ethics.

Abu al-Hasan Al-Tabari ( born in 838 A.D. ) the chief physician in 870 A.D., described in his
book (Firdous al-Hikmat) ʹ the Paradise of wisdom ʹ the Islamic code of ethics as follows:

1-presonal characters of the physician.

2- His Obligation Towards Patients.

3- his obligation towards the community.

4- his obligation towards his colleagues.

5- his obligation towards his assistants.

No code of ethics is exhaustive nor can it address every situation. Physical therapists are
encouraged to seek additional advice or consultation in instances where the guidance of
the Code of Ethics may not be definitive.

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