Health care practitioners
Those who are trained to administer medical or health care to patients
Litigious
Prone to engage in lawsuits
Plaintiff
The person bring charges in a lawsuit
Defendant
The person or party against whom criminal or civil charges are brought in a lawsuit
Liable
Legally responsive or obligated
Precedent
Decisions made by judges in the various courts that become rule of law and apply to future cases even though they were not enacted by a legislature; also known as case law
Summary judgment
A decision made by a court in a lawsuit in response to a motion that pleads there is no basis for a trial
Fraud
Dishonest or deceitful practices in depriving, or attempting to deprive, another of his or her rights
Law
Rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority
Ethics
Standards of behavior, developed as a result of one's concept of right and wrong
Moral values
One's personal concept of right and wrong, formed through the influence of the family, culture, and society
Code of ethics
A list of principles intended to govern behavior-here, the behavior of those entrusted with providing care to the sick
Ethics guidelines
Publications that detail a wide variety of ethical situations that professionals (in this case, health care practitioners) might face in their work and offer principles for dealing with the situations in an ethical manner
Hippocratic oath
A pledge for physicians, developed by the Greek physician Hippocrates circa 400 B.C.E.
American Medical Association Principles
A code of ethics for members of the American Medical Association, written in 1847
Bioethics
A discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research methods and results, especially in medicine
Medical ethicist or bioethicist
Specialists who consult with physicians, researchers, and others to help them make difficult, ethical decisions regarding patient care
Ethics committee
Committee made up of individuals who are involved in a patient's care, including health care practitioners, family members, clergy, and others, with the purpose of reviewing ethical issues in difficult cases
Etiquette
Standards of behavior considered to be good manners among members of a profession as they function as individuals in society
Protocol
A code prescribing correct behavior in a specific situation, such as a situation arising in a medical office
Compassion
The identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives
Common sense
Sound practical judgement
Critical thinking
The ability to think analytically, using fewer emotions and more rationality
Courtesy
The practice of good manners