Medical Ethics and Professionalism

OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 1 Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice Medical Ethics and Professionalism Read the consent, confidentiality and source corrections alongside these notes. START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic Outline At the end one should be able to:- Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice NOTE Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ History in brief The principles of ethics are inspirational goals and attributes of the professions. Principles Of Ethics And Code Of Professional Conduct For Medical Practitioners 1. Beneficence (Do Good) It requires that:- One should not worsen any human being’s situation; The practitioner shall:­ Have the duty to give emergency care until he is sure that others are willing to give such care; 2. Non-maleficence (Do No Harm) The practitioner shall:- Strive to have adequate standard equipment and necessary supplies for practice; Not permit oneself or herself to be exploited in a manner which is undesirable to the public or professional interest; 3. Autonomy (Self Determination) The provider shall:- Note that: The client has the right to choose a practitioner, who will attend the 4. Justice (Fairness) Justice is commonly conceptualized as Distributive or Commutative. Distributive Justice Commutative Justice Veracity (Truthfulness) and Fidelity (Faithfulness/ Loyalty) The practitioner shall: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN MEDICAL PRACTICE Outline Code of ethics for medical profession Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for medical practitioners At the end one should be able to:- Describe the code of ethics for medical profession Describe principles of ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for medical practitioners Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Definition of code of ethics A statement encompassing the set of rules based on values and the standards of conduct to which practitioners of a profession are expected to conform. A standard of conduct deep-rooted in commitment, confidentiality, and relationships. With regards to medical profession it is meant for medical practitioners Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice Committed to performance improvement and maintaining integrity, personal accountability and moral obligation to all customers served—clients, employees, employers, physicians, organizations, and the public. Professionals promote the dignity of the profession and are committed to practicing the profession with honesty, integrity, and accountability, respecting all laws and refusing to participate in or conceal any unethical, false, fraudulent, or deceptive activity Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ NOTE The true professionalism in medicine will al ways put in first place the well-being of the patient and the community as principal objective. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ Altruism: Clinician is obligated to attend to the best interest of patients, rather than self-interest. ƒ Accountability: Clinicians are accountable to their patients, to society on issues of public health, and to their profession. ƒ Excellence: Clinicians are obligated to make a commitment to life-long learning. ƒDuty: Clinicians should be available and responsive when ‘on call,’ accepting a commitment to service within the profession and the community. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ Honour and integrity: Clinicians should be committed to being fair, truthful and straightforward in their interactions with patients and the profession. ƒRespect for others: A Clinician should demonstrate respect for patients and their families, other physicians and team members, medical students, residents and fellows. ƒThese values should provide guidance for promoting professional behaviour and for making difficult ethical decisions. History in brief The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct, have their roots In Greece', way back in 500 B.C and traceable to the emergence of Hippocrates (460B.C.) and his philosophy in scientific approaches in medicine and principles on moral and ethical requirement of an ideal physician. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ History in brief The principles, which were then summarized in the form of "Hippocratic oath", were the fundamental governance of the medical and dental professions. Existed throughout history until when they were officially modified by the Geneva Convention in 1948, which then formed the basis for diverse ethical approaches Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ The principles of ethics are inspirational goals and attributes of the professions. They provide guidance and other justification for the professional conduct. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont.’ Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice The Principles can overlap each other as well as compete with each other for priority as one principle can justify a given element of the code of professional conduct and may at times, need to be balanced against each other. Otherwise the principles are the profession‘s firm guideposts. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont..'’ Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice Notably, ethics attained in the principles closely relate to the law but are not the same I', and often do exceed legal duties. For that matter, in resolving any ethical problem not explicitly covered by the code, both practitioners and clients shall consider the ethical principles, client's need and interests with respect to the applicable law. Code Of Ethics For Medical Profession Cont..’ Principles Of Ethics And Code Of Professional Conduct For Medical Practitioners The Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct for medical and dental practitioners in Tanzania are therefore epitomized and presented into five cardinal principles Beneficence Non maleficence Autonomy Justice and Veracity and Fidelity 1. Beneficence (Do Good) Beneficence is one of the moral principles of medical practice. The principle of beneficence refers to positive acts that lead to the welfare of others and a client in particular. It implores that a practitioner has to do all he can to promote good, kindness or generosity, and it implies acts of humanity, mercy or charity. It is a moral obligation required from the practitioner to act for the benefit of others. Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice It holds that one should help others further their important and legitimate interests as those persons understand them, or as one conceives them to be. One is obliged to act to benefit others when one

OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 1 Relationship Between Optometrist And Society In Providing Eye Care Services Medical Ethics and Professionalism Read the consent, confidentiality and source corrections alongside these notes. START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL OBLIGATION TO SOCIETY CORE COMPONENT OF PROFESSOPNAL OBLIGATION DUAL LOYALITY CHALLENGES OF DUAL LOYALITY RESOURCE ALLOCATION CHALLENGES OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2: Lack of Real-Time Visibility into Resource Availability 3: Lack of Real-Time Visibility into Resource Availability 4: Poor Capacity Planning and Forecasting 5: Inadequate Resource Management Tools and Processes 6: Conflicting Project Priorities CLINICIAN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN PUPLIC Relationship Between Optometrist And Society In Providing Eye Care Services HEALTH PERSONNELS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS/HER OWN ACTION IMPORTANCES OF WORKERS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTION Trust & Communication: Builds a foundation of trust, leading to better communication and confidence in delegating tasks. HOW CAN HEALTH PERSONNEL TAKE ACTION RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTION RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPTOMETRIST AND SOCIETY IN PROVIDING EYE CARE SERVICES PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL OBLIGATION TO SOCIETY this is representation of intersection of ethical duties and personal integrity,requiring individual to uphold high standard of conduct, accountability and competence in thier professional roles. key components honesty, confidentiality,competence,legal complience, therefore these obligations demands a commitiment to continuous learning and ethical decision making . CORE COMPONENT OF PROFESSOPNAL OBLIGATION 1.accountability and integrity 2.confidentiality and privecy 3.competence and skill development 4.ethical conduct 5.complience.. adharence to laws and reguration and policies. DUAL LOYALITY Dual loyalty is the potential conflict between clinicians’ duties to their patients and their obligations to their employers, particularly governments. Are conflicts between health care professionals’ obligations toward their patients and third-party interests. Example, a doctor who is asked by a government to assess a prisoner's fitness to withstand torture faces an enormous ethical dilemma because of the competing loyalties of the doctor to the state versus the physician's code of ethics and his/her commitment to a patient's human rights. CHALLENGES OF DUAL LOYALITY 1. institutional and organizational entities. 2.legal and regulatory guidelines. 3. ethical and moral responsibilities. 4.social and public responsibilities and other individuals. RESOURCE ALLOCATION is the strategic distribution and management of resources—including human resources, physical resources, financial resources and technological resources—across organizational initiatives, portfolios and departments. CHALLENGES OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION 1: Unbalanced Workload Distribution One of the most prevalent and damaging resource allocation problems is uneven workload distribution, where some team members are overwhelmed with tasks while others with comparable skills remain underutilized. 2: Lack of Real-Time Visibility into Resource Availability visibility remains one of the most significant challenges in resource management. Despite technological advances, 42% of organizations identify lack of visibility into resource availability as a primary inhibitor to effective resource management. 3: Lack of Real-Time Visibility into Resource Availability assigning resources based solely on availability rather than competency creates a cascade of problems that undermine project quality and team satisfaction. The skills mismatch problem occurs when tasks are assigned to team members who lack the appropriate expertise or, conversely, when highly skilled professionals are assigned to tasks below their competency level. 4: Poor Capacity Planning and Forecasting Capacity planning, the ability to predict future resource needs and align them with anticipated demand, consistently ranks as the biggest challenge in resource management 5: Inadequate Resource Management Tools and Processes Despite the availability of sophisticated resource management platforms, many organizations continue to rely on inadequate tools that cannot support effective allocation decisions. 6: Conflicting Project Priorities In multi-project environments, one of the most challenging resource allocation problems is managing conflicting priorities across concurrent initiatives. When multiple projects compete for the same limited resources, allocation decisions become complex tradeoffs that can derail multiple initiatives simultaneously. CLINICIAN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN PUPLIC Public Health Advocacy: Educate patients and the public, support preventative measures (like vaccination programs), and ensure access to essential services. Confidentiality & Privacy: Protect personal health information, even when sharing data for public health reporting, advocating for high standards. Scientific Integrity: Base actions and recommendations on sound science, ensuring interventions are evidence-based. Relationship Between Optometrist And Society In Providing Eye Care Services Honesty & Transparency: Deal honestly with patients about their health and be transparent about public health policies and decisions. Balancing Duties: Navigate conflicts between individual patient needs and broader community health, such as during infectious disease outbreaks. HEALTH PERSONNELS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS/HER OWN ACTION Legal Duty of Care: Healthcare workers have a legal obligation to provide a standard of care that is reasonable and safe for their patients. Failure to act, or acting in a way that causes harm (neglect or malpractice), can lead to legal liability and prosecution. Ethical Obligations: Professional codes of ethics (such as those from the American Nurses Association) outline an inherent moral duty to act in the best interest of the patient, minimize harm (non-maleficence), and respect patient autonomy. Accountability: Professionals are accountable to their regulatory bodies, employers, colleagues, and patients for their conduct and performance. This means they must be able to justify their decisions and actions. Relationship Between Optometrist And Society In Providing Eye Care Services Competence and Professional Development: A core responsibility is to work within one's scope of knowledge and abilities and engage in continuous professional development to maintain competence. Documentation and Communication: Accurate and timely record-keeping, as well as effective communication with patients and the wider healthcare team, is crucial for coordinated and safe care, and falls under individual responsibility. Personal Well-being and Self-Care: Healthcare personnel also have a professional responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and well-being to ensure they are fit to practice and do not compromise patient care through burnout or impairment. IMPORTANCES OF WORKERS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN ACTION Personal Growth & Empowerment: Encourages self-reflection, develops skills, builds resilience, and gives a sense of control over one's path. Career Advancement: Demonstrates leadership potential, trustworthiness, and reliability, opening doors for promotions. Integrity & Respect: Shows honesty, character, and commitment, earning respect from colleagues and leaders. Trust & Communication: Builds a foundation of trust, leading to better communication and confidence in delegating tasks. Productivity &

OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 1 Resolving Conflicts Medical Ethics and Professionalism Read the consent, confidentiality and source corrections alongside these notes. START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic Explain principles of customer care Explain the techniques used in providing quality customer care Outline the importance of first impression customer service Explain the steps needed to begin problem solving in the customer care Show how patient’s conflicts are resolved CUSTOMER CARE SKILLS IN RESOLVING CONFLICTS AND ADDRESSING PATIENT’S COMPLAINTS Explain principles of customer care Principles of customer care in healthcare, particularly optometry, guide interactions to prioritize patient well-being, trust, and satisfaction while resolving conflicts. Core principles include: Patient-Centered Approach — Focus on the patient's needs, emotions, and perspectives first. Empathy and Respect — Treat patients with dignity, acknowledging their feelings without judgment. Professionalism — Maintain ethical standards, confidentiality, and competence. Effective Communication — Clear, honest, and active listening to avoid misunderstandings. Accountability — Take ownership of issues and commit to resolutions. Fairness and Transparency — Provide accurate information and equitable treatment. Proactivity — Anticipate needs and prevent escalations. These principles turn potential conflicts into opportunities for stronger relationships. Explain the techniques used in providing quality customer care Techniques for quality customer care emphasize de-escalation and resolution: Active Listening → Fully concentrate, nod, and paraphrase to show understanding. Empathy Statements → "I can see this has been frustrating for you." Apologizing Sincerely → "I'm sorry for the inconvenience this has caused," without admitting fault unnecessarily. Remaining Calm and Professional → Use a steady tone and open body language. Asking Open-Ended Questions → To uncover root causes. Offering Solutions → Provide options and involve the patient in decisions. Documentation and Follow-Up → Record details and check back on resolution. These techniques build rapport and resolve issues efficiently. Outline the importance of first impression customer service First impressions form within seconds and significantly impact patient trust and conflict likelihood: Sets the tone for the entire visit; a positive one reduces anxiety and complaints. Builds immediate trust; patients are more forgiving of later issues if welcomed warmly. Influences retention and referrals; 70-80% of patients decide on return visits based on initial interactions. Prevents escalation; a poor impression (e.g., rude reception) amplifies minor issues. Enhances perceived quality of care, even before clinical interaction. In optometry, a smiling greeting and efficient check-in can turn a nervous patient into a loyal one. Explain the steps needed to begin problem solving in the customer care Initial steps focus on de-escalation and understanding: Stay Calm and Composed — Maintain neutral body language to avoid defensiveness. Listen Actively Without Interrupting — Allow the patient to fully express their complaint. Acknowledge and Empathize — Validate feelings: "I understand why you're upset." Apologize Appropriately — For the experience, not necessarily fault. Clarify the Issue — Ask questions to gather facts. Take Ownership — Move to private area if needed and involve appropriate staff. These steps prevent escalation and lay groundwork for resolution. Show how patient’s conflicts are resolved Use the HEARD technique (Hear, Empathize, Apologize, Resolve, Diagnose) for effective resolution: Scenario 1: Complaint about long wait time Patient: "I've been waiting 45 minutes!" Staff: Hears fully → "I'm sorry you've had to wait so long—that must be frustrating." (Empathize/Apologize) → Explains delay briefly → Offers priority seating or compensation (e.g., waiver of co-pay). → Follows up post-visit. Scenario 2: Wrong prescription in glasses Patient returns upset. Optometrist: Listens → "I can imagine how inconvenient blurry vision has been." → Apologizes → Re-examines free of charge, expedites new lenses → Provides loaner glasses and follow-up call. Scenario 3: Perceived rude staff Manager: Privately hears complaint → Validates feelings → Apologizes on behalf of practice → Coaches staff → Offers goodwill gesture (discount on next visit) → Surveys for feedback. Resolution turns complainants into advocates when handled promptly and empathetically. ← PREVIOUS TOPICNEXT TOPIC →VIEW MODULE NOTESVIEW SEMESTER NOTESALL OPTOMETRY NOTES Need These Notes as PDF? Request a formatted copy for offline study, printing or revision. GET PDF NOTES ON WHATSAPP

OPTOMETRY · SEMESTER 1 Additional Study Notes: Consent, Confidentiality and Source Corrections Medical Ethics and Professionalism Additional Study Notes — newly authored explanations and examples. These sections supplement the supplied course material. START READING NOTES Contents of This Topic Learning objectives Professional principles Corrections to ambiguous source wording An original consent discussion framework Learning objectives Apply consent and confidentiality principles to an eye-care encounter and identify unsafe wording in older teaching notes. Professional principles The UK General Optical Council’s standards emphasise patient-centred decisions, effective communication, valid consent, appropriate records, confidentiality, competence and referral. They are a comparative professional reference, not a statement of Tanzanian law. Local legal requirements and the relevant regulator remain the authority for practice. Corrections to ambiguous source wording The supplied Medical Ethics 2 slides say that a physician “should not render help regardless” of financial ability, ethnicity or religion. This wording is contradictory. The intended professional principle is equitable care without discriminatory refusal; learners should not use the source sentence as a rule for withholding help. The same slides describe withholding care information from the patient as “ethical”. This should not be taught as a general rule. Information should be communicated honestly, with appropriate explanations and lawful handling of confidential information. Several supplied notes equate inability to consent with obtaining consent from the next of kin. A relative’s relationship alone does not automatically establish legal authority to consent for another person. Follow the applicable law, decision-specific capacity assessment, emergency provisions and institutional procedures. An original consent discussion framework Explain the purpose of the proposed examination in plain language. Describe the relevant steps, expected benefits, material risks, alternatives and the option to decline. Invite questions and check understanding. Ensure the decision is voluntary and document the discussion in proportion to the intervention. If communication is difficult, adapt the explanation and use appropriate communication support. Communication difficulty is not itself proof of incapacity. When uncertainty about authority or capacity matters to a proposed intervention, obtain appropriate senior or legal guidance through the service. Study References General Optical Council: Standards of Practice WHO: Human rights and health Source notes: Medical Ethics 2 and Professional and Ethical Conduct College of Optometrists: Consent External references checked 13 September 2026. Worked numerical examples and teaching activities are original. ← PREVIOUS TOPICVIEW MODULE NOTESVIEW SEMESTER NOTESALL OPTOMETRY NOTES Need These Notes as PDF? Request a formatted copy for offline study, printing or revision. GET PDF NOTES ON WHATSAPP

OPTOMETRY COURSE Medical Ethics and Professionalism — Optometry Notes Semester 1 · 14 topics. Source notes and Additional Study Notes are identified by their titles. Ethics, Morality, Culture and Values Introduction to Medical Ethics and Professionalism Ethical Dilemmas: Extended Notes Ethical Issues in Special Situations Ethical Theories and Principles in Medical Practice Ethical dilemmas and ethical issues Medical Ethics: Professional Obligations and Records Medical ethics and professionalism Ethical Professionalism and Informed Consent Professional and Ethical Conduct Ethics and Professional Conduct in Medical Practice Relationship Between Optometrist And Society In Providing Eye Care Services Resolving Conflicts Additional Study Notes: Consent, Confidentiality and Source Corrections SEMESTER NOTESALL OPTOMETRY NOTES Need These Notes as PDF? Request a formatted copy for offline study, printing or revision. GET PDF NOTES ON WHATSAPP