Principlism is a way of thinking about what is the right thing to do in different situations. It is like having a set of rules that we follow to make decisions. These rules are called principles.
Principlism has four main principles:
- Autonomy: this means that people have the right to make their own choices about their health and well-being.
- Beneficence: this means that doctors and other healthcare professionals should aim to do good for their patients and promote their well-being.
- Non-maleficence: this means that healthcare professionals should avoid causing harm to their patients.
- Justice: this means that healthcare resources should be distributed fairly among everyone who needs them.
Basically, principlism helps us make sure that we are doing the right thing for our patients or for ourselves. We ask ourselves questions like "Is this decision respecting the autonomy of the patient?" or "Will this treatment benefit the patient without causing harm?"
By following these principles, we can make fair, ethical decisions that benefit everyone involved.