Which ethical principle emphasizes doing no harm?

The ethical principle that emphasizes doing no harm is non-maleficence. This principle is foundational in health care and requires that health care providers not only aim to improve patients' health but also avoid causing any unnecessary harm or suffering. Non-maleficence is about the obligation to not inflict harm intentionally and to minimize potential harm when providing care. This principle aligns with the Hippocratic Oath, which instructs practitioners to refrain from causing injury or hurt.

In the context of health care, non-maleficence plays a crucial role in decision-making, as practitioners must weigh the risks and benefits of various interventions to ensure that their actions do not harm patients. The emphasis on "doing no harm" supports patient safety and ethical treatment, guiding practitioners to consider the impacts of their actions on patient well-being.

The other principles—justice, beneficence, and autonomy—each represent different ethical considerations in health care. Justice relates to fairness in the distribution of resources, beneficence focuses on promoting good and acting in the best interest of patients, and autonomy emphasizes respecting patients' rights to make their own decisions regarding their care. While these are important ethical concepts, they do not specifically address the imperative of avoiding harm, which is the core focus of