What is one main goal of ethics in healthcare?

One main goal of ethics in healthcare is to ensure patient welfare and rights. This principle emphasizes the importance of placing the needs, preferences, and dignity of patients at the forefront of healthcare decisions. Ethical practices ensure that patients are treated with respect, receive appropriate care, and have their rights upheld, including informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to make choices about their own bodies and treatments.

Focusing on patient welfare means that healthcare professionals are committed to promoting the best possible outcomes for patients, which often involves balancing benefits, risks, and individual preferences. Ethical guidelines serve as a framework for healthcare providers to navigate complex situations that may arise in patient care, ultimately fostering trust and integrity in the healthcare system.

In contrast, while reducing costs or minimizing legal issues may be relevant concerns in the healthcare industry, they do not directly address the fundamental ethical obligation to prioritize patient welfare. Similarly, maximizing profits, while important for the sustainability of healthcare facilities, can sometimes conflict with ethical considerations if the focus shifts away from patient-centered care. Thus, ensuring patient welfare and rights remains a central tenet of ethics in healthcare.