What is the term for the principle of "do no harm" in healthcare?

The principle of "do no harm" in healthcare is referred to as non-maleficence. This ethical guideline emphasizes the importance of healthcare professionals avoiding actions that could cause harm to patients. It is a foundational concept in medical ethics, underscoring the responsibility of practitioners to prioritize the safety and well-being of those they treat.

By adhering to non-maleficence, healthcare providers are reminded to carefully consider the potential negative consequences of their interventions and to strive to minimize risks associated with medical treatments, procedures, and decisions. This principle is essential for fostering trust in the patient-provider relationship, as patients rely on their healthcare providers to act in their best interests and protect them from harm.

In this context, the other concepts do not pertain directly to the idea of "do no harm." Beneficence refers to the obligation to do good and promote well-being, autonomy is about respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions, and justice involves fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and treatment.