What is the primary purpose of ethics in healthcare?

The primary purpose of ethics in healthcare is to provide a set of guidelines that help determine what is right and wrong in complex medical situations. Ethics addresses the moral dimensions of healthcare decisions, guiding healthcare professionals in how to treat patients, allocate resources, maintain confidentiality, and navigate challenging situations involving consent and autonomy. By establishing these principles, ethics fosters trust between patients and providers, ensures fairness in treatment, and promotes the overall welfare of individuals and communities in the healthcare setting.

Although legal compliance, documentation, and performance measurement are essential components of healthcare operations, they serve different functions. Ethics goes beyond these aspects by specifically focusing on the moral implications of healthcare practices and the responsibilities owed to patients.