What are the key concepts that patient advocates should understand about healthcare ethics?

Understanding healthcare ethics is crucial for patient advocates as it provides a framework within which they can support and represent patients. Autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice are foundational ethical principles in healthcare that guide interactions and decision-making processes.

Autonomy emphasizes the right of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, respecting their preferences and values. This principle ensures that patients have the authority to choose or refuse treatment options based on their understanding of the risks and benefits involved.

Beneficence involves the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting good and enhancing patient wellbeing. This principle drives advocates to seek positive outcomes for patients through appropriate interventions and support.

Non-maleficence complements beneficence and is centered around the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients. It raises awareness of the potential risks associated with healthcare interventions and reinforces the need for informed decision-making.

Justice addresses fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and the provision of care. It emphasizes that all patients should receive equitable treatment and that systemic disparities in access should be challenged.

Together, these principles form a comprehensive ethical framework that patient advocates must navigate when representing patients' interests and ensuring they receive the best possible care. This understanding is essential in advocating for policies and