**3. Overview of medical ethics**

Medical ethics is a type of professional ethics. In modern medicine, ethics is believed to have started in the 18th century; a physician by name Thomas Percival authored a book on medical ethics which is believed to be the beginning and development of medical ethics code of conduct [7, 12, 13]. It is Dr. Thomas Percival who coined the term medical ethics after publishing his book in 1803. Medical ethics is the conduct required from any medical practitioner, it is necessary for the physician as it acts as a guide in making clinical decisions [14]. Medical ethics is the ethical, morals and values aspect that guides the medical profession and its allies and it consists of interdisciplinary knowledge [15, 16]. It guides decision making, medical practice, medical education and research in medicine [10, 12, 17]. There have been ethical guidelines which must be followed by healthcare workers in the history of the medical profession [6]. In 1949, the international code of medical ethics has been adopted by the World Medical Association in London [17]. Every national medical board has a code of conduct to guides the practice of medicine in that country. For instance, in Nigeria, medical ethics is governed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) which published a booklet titled 'A Code of Conduct' which is handed over to every new medical and dental graduate at the

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*Medical Ethics*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95382*

ethics in every consultation with the patient.

doctor relationship and in medical research. Some of the roles of medical ethics are:

**4. Importance of medical ethics**

litigation [17, 21, 22].

of the community [21].

the patient [23].

cal dilemma [23].

relationship [19].

medical practice [10, 17, 24].

time of induction into the medical and dental profession. Medical ethics is a type of applied ethics. The basis of the medical ethics is centred on the Hippocratic Oath [7] which is an oath is taken by every dental and medical graduate at the time of been inducted into the medical and dental profession. They are set of rules, regulations and guidelines that guides and governs physicians in carrying out their duties [18]. Medical ethics focuses on the relationship that exists between the doctor and their patient, which includes the legal and ethical implications. Hospitals also ensure that their employees practice medical ethics to prevent litigations which can cause loss of resources to the health facilities. Medical ethics guides decision making of medical practitioners as patient centred care is based on medical ethics. It is expected that medical practitioners are well equipped with medical skills and knowledge and also they are familiar with the medical ethics and its legal implications [9]. Medical ethics is a branch of applied ethics and bioethics. Medical ethics promotes the respect of patient and confidentiality. Medical ethics is important in the practice of medicine [10] therefore it is taught in most medical and dental schools both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is applied in all clinical settings as well as the medical workplace and in research; it encompasses other disciplines such as history, philosophy, theology, anthropology and sociology [18]. The different categories of professionals involved in providing healthcare practice medical ethics [19]. Therefore for a better understanding of the concept training in medical ethics should be incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate education curriculum [10, 15, 20]. It is the duty of every physician to practice medical

Medical ethics is important both in medical practice which involves the patient

1.It provides standards in the professional relationship between the physician and their clients or patient hence provides guidelines in the prevention of

2.The social capital in the professional relationship is established with members

3.Medical ethics is implemented in decision making by both the physician and

4.Medical ethics provides moral values necessary in providing solutions to ethi-

5.It provides privacy, confidentiality and truthfulness in the doctor-patient

justice and accountability in the medical profession [17, 19].

6.Medical ethics promotes health, wellbeing, respect decision making, dignity,

7.Medical ethics helps in promoting good and quality medical care by identifying, analyzing and attempting to resolve the ethical problems that arise in

### *Medical Ethics DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95382*

time of induction into the medical and dental profession. Medical ethics is a type of applied ethics. The basis of the medical ethics is centred on the Hippocratic Oath [7] which is an oath is taken by every dental and medical graduate at the time of been inducted into the medical and dental profession. They are set of rules, regulations and guidelines that guides and governs physicians in carrying out their duties [18]. Medical ethics focuses on the relationship that exists between the doctor and their patient, which includes the legal and ethical implications. Hospitals also ensure that their employees practice medical ethics to prevent litigations which can cause loss of resources to the health facilities. Medical ethics guides decision making of medical practitioners as patient centred care is based on medical ethics. It is expected that medical practitioners are well equipped with medical skills and knowledge and also they are familiar with the medical ethics and its legal implications [9]. Medical ethics is a branch of applied ethics and bioethics. Medical ethics promotes the respect of patient and confidentiality. Medical ethics is important in the practice of medicine [10] therefore it is taught in most medical and dental schools both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is applied in all clinical settings as well as the medical workplace and in research; it encompasses other disciplines such as history, philosophy, theology, anthropology and sociology [18]. The different categories of professionals involved in providing healthcare practice medical ethics [19]. Therefore for a better understanding of the concept training in medical ethics should be incorporated into undergraduate and postgraduate education curriculum [10, 15, 20]. It is the duty of every physician to practice medical ethics in every consultation with the patient.
