Medicine in transition--emerging ethical issues in the global village

Abstract

Two major shifts in medicine are radically altering the medical profession worldwide: the shift from a professional to a business ethic, and the shift from a hands-one therapeutic approach to one which is technology-dependent. These paradigm shifts affect the traditional medical ethics and principles of professional autonomy, beneficence (doing what is best for patients) and justice. Constructive responses that will help to protect these important ethical ideals include reflection on professional values, involvement in health policy and nurture of the profession's young and "idealistic" members.