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Ethics and Ethical Standards for Doctors

👥 0 students 📖 36 lessons & topics

Course Description

Ethical concerns such as consent, confidentiality, honesty, professional boundaries, and the duty of candour are among the most common triggers for complaints and regulatory action against doctors. The General Medical Council (GMC) expects doctors to act with integrity, put patients’ interests first, and maintain public confidence in the profession. This course provides clear, practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas, meeting GMC standards, and responding appropriately when things go wrong — helping doctors reduce risk and demonstrate insight, accountability, and professionalism.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for foundation doctors, specialty trainees, SAS doctors, GPs, and hospital consultants working across NHS and independent settings in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is also suitable for senior medical students preparing for clinical practice. It is particularly relevant for practitioners facing complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise proceedings, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

What You Will Learn

The course covers the foundations of healthcare ethics, the core principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice, GMC Good Medical Practice and its application in real-world settings, informed consent and shared decision-making, the duty of candour, accurate documentation and ethical record-keeping, professional boundaries including digital professionalism, and GMC fitness-to-practise processes and regulatory responses.

What You Receive

On successful completion you receive a CPD UK accredited certificate and structured CPD evidence suitable for GMC appraisal, revalidation, remediation portfolios, and professional development records. The course is fully online and self-paced — accessible immediately after enrolment.

CPD UK CertifiedThis course is CPD UK certified. The accredited certificate issued on completion is accepted as evidence for GMC appraisal, revalidation, and professional regulatory submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This course is CPD UK certified, and participants receive an accredited CPD certificate on successful completion.

Yes. The course provides structured CPD evidence suitable for GMC appraisal, revalidation, and professional portfolios.

Yes. This course is particularly suitable for doctors dealing with complaints, investigations, fitness-to-practise processes, or remediation relating to ethical concerns.

Yes. While primarily designed for doctors, the course is also suitable for senior medical students seeking to develop ethical understanding aligned with GMC expectations.

Yes. The course is delivered fully online and can be completed at your own pace, with instant access immediately after enrolment.

Course Content

1

Section 1 – Overview of Healthcare Ethics

  • 1.1 What is Healthcare Ethics?

  • 1.2 Importance of Ethics in Medical Profession

  • 1.3 Overview of the GMC’s Role

  • 1.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 1

2

Section 2 – Core Ethical Principles in Medical Practice

  • 2.1 Autonomy

  • 2.2 Beneficence and Non-Maleficence

  • 2.3 Justice

  • 2.4 Confidentiality

  • 2.5 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 2

3

Section 3 – GMC Ethical Guidelines and Standards

  • 3.1 Good Medical Practice (GMP)

  • 3.2 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 3

4

Section 4 – Professional Integrity and Honesty

  • 4.1 Maintaining Honesty and Integrity

  • 4.2 Duty of Candour

  • 4.3 Documentation and Record-Keeping

  • 4.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 4

5

Section 5 – Patient-Centred Care and Shared Decision-Making

  • 5.1 Informed Consent

  • 5.2 Patient Communication

  • 5.3 Confidentiality and Data Protection

  • 5.4 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 5

6

Section 6 – Professional Boundaries and Conduct

  • 6.1 Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries

  • 6.2 GMC Guidance on Boundaries

  • 6.3 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 6

7

Section 7 – Breach of Expected Ethical Standards

  • 7.1 Common Breaches

  • 7.2 Consequences of Breaching Ethical Standards

  • 7.3 GMC’s Actions in Response to Breaches

  • 7.4 Steps Doctors Should Take to Remediate

  • 7.5 Summary Points and Quiz for Section 7

8

Section 8 – Conclusions and Takeaways

  • 8.1 Conclusions and Takeaways