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What Is the Ethical Principle of Justice in Medical and Health Care?
The ethical principle of justice typically pertains to fairness and equality. According to this principle, all individuals should have equal access to care and resources regardless of who they are. […]
The ethical principle of justice typically pertains to fairness and equality. According to this principle, all individuals should have equal access to care and resources regardless of who they are. It also means that there should be equitable distribution of services, resources, and opportunities to ensure that individuals are not denied access to necessary treatment based on factors such as age, gender, race, religious affiliation, or socio-economic background. Like other ethical principles, elements of the principle of justice are evident in the general expectations outlined for healthcare professionals in the code of medical ethics.
Justice also means that healthcare professionals should treat all patients equally while avoiding prejudice or social discrimination. Patients that face similar challenges should generally have access to the same options and rights as other patients in the same situations. Healthcare providers are required to demonstrate impartial resource allocation and prioritize patients in greatest need, ensuring they obtain the necessary resources for recovery or survival.
This can also mean that healthcare professionals should address systemic inequalities that prevent access to care if they are aware that these barriers exist among the patient populations they serve.
Other examples of justice in action can be found in policies to improve healthcare systems, make insurance more widely accessible for individuals, and develop programs that will reduce health disparities among patient populations. Justice in relation to end-of-life care can also arise in ethical dilemmas regarding healthcare rationing, distribution of resources during crises, equal access to experimental treatments and practices such as medical aid in dying.
Sources
“Patient Rights and Ethics”. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538279/
“AMA Principles of Medical Ethics”. AMA Code of Medical Ethics. https://code-medical-ethics.ama-assn.org/principles
“Ethical Principles in Patient-Centered Medical Care to Support Quality of Life in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.00259/full
