Foundations of clinical ethics

Abstract

Bioethics is a discipline which uses moral theory to make arguments about the rightness or wrongness of actions in healthcare, research, and biotechnology. It overlaps with but diverges from law, emotion, and religion. An ethical dilemma occurs when there is a choice between equally ethically justifiable or unjustifiable actions and often requires an ethical analysis to resolve. Deontology (duty-based ethics), consequentialism (outcome-based ethics) and virtue-based ethics are the major moral theories. Principlism -which includes respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice -draws heavily from moral theory and is the central framework for bioethics in Western healthcare systems. A formal curriculum and other resources are available for teaching ethics and professionalism to dermatology residents and other trainees.