Which principle of ethics supports the idea of doing good for patients?

Beneficence is the principle of ethics that emphasizes doing good for patients. It compels healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting their well-being and taking positive actions to improve their health. This principle guides healthcare professionals to not only avoid harm but actively engage in practices that enhance the patient’s quality of life.

In a medical context, it involves providing appropriate treatments, offering supportive care, and considering the overall welfare of patients when making clinical decisions. By focusing on beneficence, healthcare providers strive to contribute positively to their patients' health outcomes, thereby fulfilling their ethical obligations as practitioners.

The other options are related to important ethical considerations but focus on different aspects of patient care. Autonomy pertains to respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions, justice deals with fairness and equity in healthcare distribution, and non-maleficence emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm. While these principles are significant, beneficence directly addresses the proactive obligation to promote good in patient care.