Page 41 - NAMAH January 2016
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Namah Ethical considerations in the Eyurveda classics
evenings and inauspicious days were physician should always be accompanied by
contra-indicated for sexual activities (5). someone who knows the area well. Secrets
of a patient’s house should not be disclosed
Mental ethics outside and, in the case of patients with a
short lifespan, no information should be
The mind is considered an important disclosed. Fearlessness, swift action,
abode for diseases in Eyurveda. Plenty sharpness of instruments, absence of
of ethical notes related to mental faculties perspiration, absence of trembling and
are mentioned in different contexts. confusion are mentioned as the qualities of
These comprise ethics, adequate focus a surgeon.
when in action, mental make-up before
action, developing self-control over one’s In short, ethics in clinical care may be
sense-appetites, restraint from over- summarised in three categories — protecting
procrastination, not nursing sorrows, life and health; respecting autonomy; and
arrogance, calumny, etc. protecting life and health and respecting
autonomy with fairness and justice.
Ethics in medical practice
1. Protecting life and health:
Vast ranges of medical ethics have been
enumerated. These consist of general Clinicians should practise medicine at a
medical ethics (7), ethics to be followed high standard, taking care not to cause
during internship (8), general surgical ethics unnecessary harm or suffering. Patients
(9), ethics in a patient’s house (10), etc. should only be given treatment which they
Surgical ethics have been elaborately need.
mentioned under various sub-topics. These
include the qualities of a surgeon (11), 2. Respecting autonomy:
professional and academic ethics (12), pre-
operative ethics (13), ethics of conservative Physicians should respect the autonomy and
treatment (14), operative ethics (15), post- dignity of their patients. This respect for the
operative ethics (16), the ethics and autonomy of patients leads to two further
importance of experimental surgery (17), rights: informed consent and confidentiality.
etc. Every effort should be made to cure Competent adult patients should be able to
patients, without directing any ill-intention choose and accept any proposed treatment
towards them. The dress and appearance of with the knowledge that personal information
the physician should be modest, his speech divulged during treatment will not be
pleasant, pure, blissful, truthful, useful and disclosed. Denying patients this choice and
moderate. Medicine should not be prescribed control robs them of their human dignity.
for those who despise or are despised by the
king and noble persons, for a wicked person, 3. Protecting life and health and respecting
for persons about to die and to women in autonomy with fairness and justice:
the absence of their husband or guardian.
In the case of visiting a patient’s house, the In the conduct of their public and professional
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