Foundations of Medical Ethics

This unit introduces core ethical principles, the distinction between morality and professional ethics, and the fundamentals of the provider–patient relationship. Students will also explore ethical practice management beyond the exam room, including error disclosure and policies that promote transparency and patient safety, preparing them for applied ethical decision-making in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze core principles of medical ethics (autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, confidentiality) and apply them to common clinical dilemmas.
• Differentiate between personal morality, professional ethical codes, and legal obligations in healthcare using case-based examples.
• Apply communication and professional strategies to build and maintain an ethical provider–patient relationship, including informed consent, cultural competence, and confidentiality protections.
• Evaluate practice-level policies and demonstrate appropriate steps for disclosing medical errors to patients and stakeholders to promote transparency and patient safety.