Medical Ethics and Professionalism
Medical Ethics and Professionalism tests consent, capacity, confidentiality, end-of-life care, boundaries, and conflict of interest. The exam expects a defensible ethical rationale, not just a correct-sounding answer.
Core rules
- Valid consent requires capacity, adequate information, and voluntariness.
- Capacity is decision-specific: understand, retain, weigh, and communicate the decision.
- Confidentiality can be breached only with consent, legal requirement, or serious public-health risk.
- When a patient lacks capacity, act in their best interests and involve family where appropriate, respecting prior wishes.
- Professional boundaries: avoid personal relationships, financial conflicts, and social-media breaches.
Worked example
A 16-year-old asks for confidential contraceptive advice and refuses parental involvement. The reasoning is: assess capacity and safeguarding, explain confidentiality limits, and encourage family involvement without making it a condition unless risk requires disclosure. Document the discussion and follow local law and child-protection procedures.
Traps that cost marks
- Equating disagreement with lack of capacity.
- Disclosing information to relatives without consent.
- Obtaining consent without discussing material risks and alternatives.
- Ignoring a minor’s safeguarding concerns.
- Accepting gifts or industry hospitality that could influence care.