What does the term “double effect” refer to in medical ethics?

The term "double effect" in medical ethics refers to the principle that an action can lead to both good and bad effects, where the good effect is intended and the bad effect is not. This principle is particularly relevant in situations where a medical intervention may alleviate suffering or save a life but could also result in harmful side effects. The doctrine of double effect allows healthcare practitioners to justify actions that may have harmful consequences if those actions are aimed at achieving a greater good.

In ethical discussions, this concept emphasizes the importance of understanding intention behind actions, asserting that as long as the primary intention is to bring about a positive outcome, and provided certain conditions are met (such as proportionality and the inevitability of the negative outcome), it can be considered ethically permissible to proceed. This principle is instrumental in navigating complex moral dilemmas in clinical practice, especially in palliative care or end-of-life situations.

The other options do not capture the nuanced implications of double effect. Equality in treatment does not encompass the dual outcomes of an action, while excluding risk contradicts the essence of informed consent and clinical decision-making. Notification is a fundamental aspect of patient autonomy but does not pertain directly to the ethical consideration of intended versus unintended effects in healthcare actions.