An Essay on the Principle of Nonmaleficence

While the principle of nonmaleficence is ultimately an ideal or utopia, especially in the medical field, it’s important to put the patient's well-being ahead of personal Opinion. It's impossible for medical professionals to keep patients unexposed to harm, but they must act with warranted risk. Due to human error, the lack of knowledge of certain diseases, cancers, etc., and in some cases it’s essential to cause harm to a patient. For instance, an invasive biopsy may need to be done to determine the severity of the cancer, which could ultimately save the patient's life.

The principle is somewhat lenient, but only when acting with due care, even when harm results. Legally and morally a physician cannot subject his/her patients to any unnecessary risks.

The principle of nonmaleficence states that when caring for a patient the most important thing is to not cause more harm. In other words, the caring/governing body must act in the best interest of the patient without causing needless injury or harm.

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Patients put their trust in Physicians and other health care professionals to ensure their safety; obligating physicians to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient. For example, when a woman in labor comes into the hospital, she immediately puts the safety of both herself and her child in the physician's hands.

Though physicians are humans too and just as you or I would make a mistake at work, they are bound to have their off days as well. All it takes is a simple combination of the wrong medications, and if the physician forgot to obtain the patients history this mistake could unintentionally cause someone their life.

Two months ago, a pregnant woman collapsed due to an aneurysm. The woman was pronounced brain dead; both her and her family's wish was for her to be taken off of life support, the physicians wouldn’t allow it. Though in this instance, it was the state who legally permitted physicians from upholding the principle.

This is where the moral obligation of the physician under the principle of nonmaleficence becomes obsolete due to the restrictions of the governing law. Though this principle is essential in medicine, it’s not possible for physicians to not cause harm to their patients whatsoever, sometimes putting a patient in harms way is essential to ridding them of the disease, cancer, etc. Nonmaleficence is often thought of as the negative aspect of medical ethics, in that it is concerned with preventing harm rather than promoting good. However, it is just as important as the other principles of medical ethics, as the potential for harm in medical practice is significant, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including mistakes, negligence, or intentional actions.

In order to ensure that the principle of nonmaleficence is upheld in medical practice, healthcare professionals must be aware of the potential harms associated with their actions, and must take steps to minimize these risks. This may involve careful consideration of treatment options, use of appropriate technology and equipment, and adherence to established standards of practice and protocols. However, despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals, harm can still occur, and it is important that healthcare professionals are prepared to deal with these situations when they arise. This may involve acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility for them, providing appropriate support and care to patients who have been harmed, and taking steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The principle of nonmaleficence also has broader implications for healthcare policy and practice. It requires healthcare professionals to advocate for policies and practices that minimize harm to patients, and to speak out against practices that may put patients at risk. It also requires healthcare professionals to consider the impact of their actions on the wider community, and to ensure that they are not causing harm to vulnerable populations or contributing to systemic inequalities. In conclusion, the principle of nonmaleficence is a fundamental ethical principle in healthcare that requires healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to their patients. It is a key component of medical ethics and is essential for ensuring that patients receive safe and effective care. By upholding the principle of nonmaleficence, healthcare professionals can help to build trust and confidence in the healthcare system, and ensure that patients receive the care and support they need to achieve optimal health outcomes.