Non-maleficence is a foundational ethical principle in healthcare that emphasizes the moral obligation of healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. This principle is rooted in the Hippocratic oath and is crucial in guiding medical professionals to consider the potential risks and adverse effects of their actions. In practice, non-maleficence means that healthcare providers must carefully weigh the benefits of a treatment against the possibility of harm it might cause, ensuring that patient safety is prioritized in all clinical decisions.
This principle is distinct from other ethical concepts, such as promoting health and wellness or ensuring equitable access to services, which focus on positive actions and outcomes rather than the prevention of harm. While providing care only when beneficial relates to the idea of doing good (beneficence), non-maleficence specifically targets the importance of avoiding any actions that could adversely affect the patient’s well-being. By adhering to non-maleficence, healthcare professionals uphold their duty to protect patients, fostering trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship.