Are medical ethics universal or culture specific

Abstract

In our society and culture where family is of utmost importance, sometimes I wonder how much of a doctor’s duty is to the patient and how much is to the whole family. As a medical student, I remember being told by my professors that we should treat the patient as a whole and not focus on just one problem or organ system. Similarly when practicing medicine in Pakistan, one cannot treat the patient alone and ignore the family. How much should relatives’ wishes be taken into account when dealing with a patient Don’t patients have a right to their medical information When, how, and by whom can that right be waived What role does culture play when debating medical ethics

Keywords: Ethics; Culture; Pakistan

Core tip: This paper discusses to role of culture when debating medical ethics and wether cultural norms should be taken into account when applying the principles of medical ethics to a particular society. For example, in a society where the importance of family is paramount, how much should relatives¡’ wishes be taken into account when dealing with a patient