Overview of psychiatric ethics III: principles-based ethics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to consider the application of principle-based medical ethics to psychiatry.


CONCLUSIONS
Principles-based medical ethics is a useful tool for resolving ethical dilemmas in psychiatry in that clinical aspects of ethical dilemmas can be better articulated then in other methods . The ethical dilemmas unique to psychiatry, such as those related to impairment of autonomy, present a challenge to the method. After considering a case example, we conclude that psychiatrists can best utilise a principles based approach to ethical dilemmas when they combine this with a level of critical reflection in the light of other ethical theories, such as virtue ethics, as well as close consideration of the clinical and social context of the ethical dilemma.
Robertson
Michael
M
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Sydney South West Area Health Service (Eastern Sector), Sydney, NSW, Australia. mrobertson@med.usyd.edu.au
Ryan
Christopher
C
Walter
Garry
G
D032764:Casuistry; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000941:ethics; D019520:Living Donors / Q000941:ethics; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology; D009517:New South Wales; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D012945:Social Values