Which ethical principle is most closely related to fairness in healthcare?

The ethical principle most closely related to fairness in healthcare is justice. Justice in the context of healthcare refers to the fair distribution of resources, ensuring that individuals have equal access to medical services regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or background. This principle seeks to eliminate discrimination and promote equity in treatment and care, aiming for a system that serves everyone fairly.

Justice encompasses not only the equitable distribution of healthcare resources but also the recognition of individual needs and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not overlooked. It prioritizes the importance of creating policies and practices that uphold fairness, thereby fostering trust and respect in patient-provider relationships.

In comparative terms, the other principles play distinct roles: autonomy emphasizes the right of individuals to make informed choices about their care; beneficence focuses on acting in the best interest of patients to promote good; while fidelity relates to keeping promises and maintaining loyalty in the patient-caregiver relationship. Each of these principles is vital to healthcare ethics, but justice specifically encapsulates the concept of fairness, making it the most relevant in this context.