Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Ethics, Professional

Professional ethics refer to the principles and values that guide the behavior of healthcare professionals in their practice. These principles include respect for patient autonomy, non-maleficence (the duty to do no harm), beneficence (the duty to do good), and justice (fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources).

There are several professional organizations that have established codes of ethics for their members, including:

The American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics: This code provides guidance for physicians on ethical issues that may arise in their practice, including patient autonomy, confidentiality, and the allocation of scarce resources.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics: This code provides guidance for nurses on ethical issues that may arise in their practice, including respect for patient autonomy, non-maleficence, and the promotion of social justice.

The American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct: This code provides guidance for psychologists on ethical issues that may arise in their practice, including respect for patient autonomy, confidentiality, and the responsible conduct of research.

Professional ethics are an important consideration for healthcare professionals, as they help to ensure that patients are treated with respect and dignity and that the healthcare system operates in a fair and just manner.