The ethical basis of the precautionary principle in health care decision making

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2004.11.032· OSTI ID:20721975

Meulen, Ruud H.J. ter ^[1]

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1. Director Institute of Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maastricht, PO Box 616, NL 6200 MD Maastricht (Netherlands). E-mail: [e-mail]

This article explores the relation between the precautionary and health care decision making. Decision making in medical practice as well as health policy is characterized by uncertainty. On the level of clinical practice for example, one never knows in advance whether one has made the right diagnosis or has opted for the right treatment. Though medical decisions have a risk on serious harms and burdens, the precautionary principle is not applicable to health care. This principle holds that one should not act when there is no scientific proof that no harms will result from a medical act or a policy decision. However, in clinical practice there is a duty to act. Physicians have an obligation to do good to their patients and have to weigh the benefits against possible harms and burdens. The basis virtue of medical decision making is not avoidance of risks, as stated in the precautionary principle, but the prudent assessment of benefits, burdens, and harms, in relation to other ethical principles like respect for autonomy and justice. The precautionary principle does play a role in health care, but it should never rule medical decision making as an absolute principle. This is not only true for clinical decision making, but also for the area of health policy. Physicians and other health care decision makers need to have knowledge about the possible effects of treatments or the precision of diagnostic procedures in order to reduce harm and promote well-being. Evidence-based medicine may contribute to the wisdom of health care decision makers, but this evidence-based wisdom should always be applied under the guidance of prudence, which is the central virtue of health care decision making.

• OSTI ID: 20721975
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 207, Issue 2,suppl.1; Conference: ICT X 2004: 10. international congress of toxicology: Living in a safe chemical world, Tampere (Finland), 11-15 Jul 2004; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2004.11.032; PII: S0041-008X(05)00307-8; Copyright (c) 2005 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ACCURACY
DECISION MAKING
DIAGNOSIS
DRUGS
ETHICAL ASPECTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MEDICINE
PATIENTS