Test: Importance Questions - UCAT MCQ

Autonomy (the right to have control over your own treatment) is one of the four pillars of medical ethics. This principle is also found in Good Medical Practice which states “You must work in partnership with patients, sharing with them the information they will need to make decisions about their care” (Good Medical Practice, p16). Therefore, you must consider Jonathan’s right to autonomy, so this consideration is very important.

Dr Mike has a responsibility to use the best evidence to provide patient’s with the best quality of treatment, this principle is contained in Good Medical Practice which states “In providing clinical care you must: provide effective treatments based on the best available evidence”. The reason this factor is not very important is because Dr Mike knows this is clearly not the most appropriate treatment option. Therefore, this consideration is important.

You should never treat patients differently based on their age or any other protected characteristics. This principle is contained in Good Medical Practice which states “You must not unfairly discriminate against patients or colleagues by allowing your personal views [This includes your views about a patient’s or colleague’s lifestyle, culture or their social or economic status, as well as the characteristics protected by legislation: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation] to affect your professional relationships or the treatment you provide or arrange”. However, this factor might be considered as his age may affect what treatment is appropriate. Therefore, this factor could be considered but it does not have to be. So, this factor is of minor importance. 

Dr Mike’s key concern must be the best interest of the patient. This is the principle of beneficence which is one of the four pillars of medical ethics. Doctors must also use the best evidence to provide patient’s with the best quality of treatment, this principle is contained in Good Medical Practice which states “In providing clinical care you must: provide effective treatments based on the best available evidence”. Therefore, as Dr Mike knows Jonathan is not receiving the care which is in his best interests, he must consider this factor. Therefore, this consideration is very important.

Taking into accounts the benefits and risks (including side effects) is a key principle of medicine. This principle is outlined in Good Medical Principle which states “You must work in partnership with patients, sharing with them the information they will need to make decisions about their care, including: their condition, its likely progression and the options for treatment, including associated risks and uncertainties” . However, the reason this factor is not very important is because Dr Mike’s professional judgement is that this is the most appropriate treatment option. Therefore, this consideration is important.

It is important to express concerns that a colleague is being unprofessional. This is outlined in Good Medical Practice which states “If you have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practise and maybe putting patients at risk, you must ask for advice from a colleague, your defence body or us”. However, professionalism may be subjective and so this factor would not be considered as important as patient safety. Therefore, this consideration is important.

Patient safety, comfort and dignity must be your top priority. This is outlined in Good Medical Practice which states “You must take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is or may be seriously compromised” (Good Medical Practice, p11). Therefore, if patients are feeling uncomfortable, you must act. Therefore, this consideration is very important.

Remember patient safety, comfort and dignity maybe your top priority. This is outlined in Good Medical Practice which states “You must take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is or may be seriously compromised”. Therefore, any impact on yours’s or someone else’s career must not be considered. Therefore, this consideration is not important at all.

By making TikToks on the ward, James might be making patients feel uncomfortable and therefore Kim should act. This is outlined in Good Medical Practice which states “You must take prompt action if you think that patient safety, dignity or comfort is or may be seriously compromised”. The reason, this is just important and not very important is because regardless of whether James is making TikToks about patients on the ward or off the ward, it is still unprofessional. Therefore, this consideration is very important.

Confidentiality is a key principle of medical ethics, this is contained within Good Medical Practice which states “You must treat information about patients as confidential. This includes after a patient has died.”  The reason confidentiality is so important is that it forms the basis of trust for the doctor patient relationship, this is outlined in GMC guidelines which state “Trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship and confidentiality is central to this. Patients may avoid seeking medical help, or may under-report symptoms, if they think their personal information will be disclosed by doctors without consent, or without the chance to have some control over the timing or amount of information shared.” (GMC Confidentiality Guidelines, p10). Therefore, this consideration is Very Important.

Medical Students must follow the same ethical guidelines as doctors. Therefore, it is irrelevant that Sarah is a medical student, so this consideration is Not Important at All.

If someone’s safety is at risk, you have an obligation to ensure you act in a way that protects them. This exception to confidentiality is outlined in the GMC guidelines which states “There are also important uses of patient information for purposes other than direct care… Other uses are not directly related to the provision of healthcare but serve wider public interests, such as disclosures for public protection reasons” . Therefore, this consideration is Very Important.

The fact that Mike goes to the same university as Sarah is largely irrelevant and should not affect your decision making. This is outlined in Good Medical Practice which states “You must not unfairly discriminate against patients or colleagues by allowing your personal views [This includes your views about a patient’s or colleague’s lifestyle, culture or their social or economic status, as well as the characteristics protected by legislation: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation] to affect your professional relationships or the treatment you provide or arrange.” However, since they attend the same university, they may have a personal relationship as well as a professional one, so this factor might be considered but it would not be detrimental if it was not. Therefore, this consideration is Of Minor Importance.

Her intentions are irrelevant, the key point is that patient confidentiality was broken which violates Good Medical Practice which states “You must treat information about patients as confidential. This includes after a patient has died.”. Therefore, this consideration is not at all important.  

Telling patient’s if a mistake has been made is a key principle of medical ethics, this is called the duty of candour. This principle is contained in Good Medical Practice which states “You must be open and honest with patients if things go wrong. If a patient under your care has suffered harm or distress, you should”. Therefore, this consideration is very important.