What ethical principle requires Medical Assistants to maintain honesty in interactions with patients?

The principle that requires Medical Assistants to maintain honesty in interactions with patients is veracity. This ethical standard emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in all aspects of medical practice. Veracity ensures that patients receive accurate and complete information about their health, treatments, and medical conditions, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their care. Upholding veracity fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, which is crucial for effective communication and a positive therapeutic relationship.

The other ethical principles, such as justice, beneficence, and autonomy, serve different roles. Justice relates to fairness and equitable distribution of healthcare resources; beneficence focuses on the responsibility to act in the best interest of the patient; and autonomy emphasizes respecting a patient's right to make their own choices. While all of these principles play a significant role in healthcare, veracity specifically addresses the necessity of honesty.