The word “ethics, derived from the Greek term ethos, originally meant customs, habitual usage, conduct, and character and the word “morals”, derived from the Latin mores, means customs or habit. Today, in the widest sense, these two words refer to conduct, character, and motives involved in moral acts and include the notion of approval or disapproval of a given conduct, character, or motive that describe by such words as good, desirable, right and worthy. The following are definitions of the concepts of ethics and beneficence as set forth in The American College Dictionary and Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. ethics 1. the principle of morality, including both the science of the good and the nature of the right. 2. the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions: medical ethics. 3. moral principles as of an individual. 4....the science of the human character in its ideal state. --Syn. 2. See moral. (1). ethics 1. [Gr. ethos, moral custom]. A system of moral principles or standards governing conduct... e., nursing. A system of principles governing conduct of a nurse. It deals with the relationship of a nurse to the patient's family, associates and fellow nurses, and society at large. (2). beneficence 1. the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity. 2. beneficent act or gift; benefaction. (1). The adherence to ethical standards and the acting beneficent are essential to any form of health care practice. As advances are made in medical technology, advances are also made in accessibility of information. The Internet provides many medical web sites; a patient can easily obtain additional information, conflicting information, and evenincorrect information. It is then imperative that healthcare providers be completely forthcoming and thorough regarding a medical condition, the possible outc...
