Latin for ‘first do no harm’, a traditional medical aphorism, similar to the Greek for ‘abstain from doing harm’ in the Hippocratic Oath and also to the *prima facie principle of *nonmaleficence. It is a reminder to first consider whether a proposed medical intervention risks causing more harm than good. See also risk–benefit analysis.
n. physical, mental, or moral damage or the threat of this. Avoiding it is one of the ethical *four principles known as *nonmaleficence. Although health service staff have a clear duty to benefit patients and avoid harming them, in practice almost all medical actions run the risk of harming the patient and in some no good effect can be achieved without a clearly harmful process (such as mastectomy or chemotherapy for breast cancer). Therefore all medical professionals should learn how to make a *risk–benefit analysis at each point of care. The risk of harm should be explained to patients and their agreement obtained at each appropriate point. Professional blame or litigation may result if this is not done and harm results. See also primum non nocere; professionalism.... harm
n. one of the *four principles and common to many theories of medical ethics: doctors should avoid causing harm to patients (see primum non nocere). As almost all medical interventions carry some risk of harm, however small, in practice a doctor should avoid risking unnecessary harm or any harm that is disproportionate to the benefit intended. Consequently, risks should be minimized and considered along with the intended benefits when evaluating specific interventions. Harm can include psychological, emotional, or social harm as well as physical damage. Compare beneficence.... nonmaleficence
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