If a physician believes CAM/IM can benefit the patient and shares this belief to promote well-being, which principle is engaged?

If a physician believes CAM/IM can benefit the patient and shares this belief to promote well-being, which principle is engaged?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Autonomy
• C. Justice
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is the obligation to act in the patient’s best interest and to promote their well-being. When a physician believes that CAM or IM could benefit the patient and shares that belief to support the patient’s health, they are taking a benevolent action aimed at improving the patient’s condition or quality of life. This focuses on actively promoting good for the patient. Autonomy centers on respecting the patient’s right to make their own decisions, which is related but not the primary motive in this scenario. Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm, and justice concerns fair treatment and resource distribution; neither captures the act of promoting well-being through supportive recommendation.

Beneficence is the obligation to act in the patient’s best interest and to promote their well-being. When a physician believes that CAM or IM could benefit the patient and shares that belief to support the patient’s health, they are taking a benevolent action aimed at improving the patient’s condition or quality of life. This focuses on actively promoting good for the patient. Autonomy centers on respecting the patient’s right to make their own decisions, which is related but not the primary motive in this scenario. Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm, and justice concerns fair treatment and resource distribution; neither captures the act of promoting well-being through supportive recommendation.