Which statement best defines the ethical principle of beneficence?

Which statement best defines the ethical principle of beneficence?

• A. Beneficence is an ethical principle in which health care providers actively seek the good of the patient.
• B. Beneficence is the obligation to avoid harming the patient.
• C. Beneficence is the obligation to distribute resources fairly.
• D. Beneficence is the right of patients to make their own decisions.

Answer: (A)

Beneficence means acting to promote the patient’s welfare. It is the obligation of clinicians to actively seek what will benefit the patient—offering effective treatments, relieving pain, supporting recovery, and enhancing overall well-being. The other statements describe other ethical principles: avoiding harm is nonmaleficence, distributing resources fairly is justice, and honoring a patient’s right to make their own decisions is autonomy. Therefore, actively pursuing the patient’s good best defines beneficence.

Beneficence means acting to promote the patient’s welfare. It is the obligation of clinicians to actively seek what will benefit the patient—offering effective treatments, relieving pain, supporting recovery, and enhancing overall well-being. The other statements describe other ethical principles: avoiding harm is nonmaleficence, distributing resources fairly is justice, and honoring a patient’s right to make their own decisions is autonomy. Therefore, actively pursuing the patient’s good best defines beneficence.