Beneficence and non-maleficence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Beneficence and non-maleficence - Essay Example This essay discusses that beneficence as a bioethics principle states that medical practitioners should be of help to patients seeking their service. Beneficent activities are conducted to eliminate any health problems. The principle stresses on the eminence of healthcare offered to patients. Practitioners should accurately diagnose the condition and then apply the adequate treatment. The principle follows the essence of healthcare that is offering health benefits to all. Sick persons enter into a relationship with practitioners in seeking health benefits since health practitioners have an obligation to assist. An example of a beneficent action is advising a lung cancer patient to stop smoking so as to reduce lung infection. This paper illustrates that non-maleficent is a principle that prohibits medical practitioners from causing any harm to the patients. Possible harms are as a result of medical errors. Despite the fact that treatment errors may be unintentional, deliberate situati ons are also evident. The paper tells that practitioners are supposed to undertake deliberate actions in ensuring that errors of omission and commission are avoided and that the patients can trust the health care service. In essence, practitioners should not make negligent steps that compromise the health outcomes of patients. A case of a non-maleficent act is to stop treatment that has dire effects on the patient's health or is uncertified as a safe treatment.