Physician-Patient relationship has been the central theme of medical ethics in the pre-modern time. We can trace this emphasis way back to the time of Hippocrates where Do-No-Harm and Do-Good have been the main thrust of ethical consideration in clinical settings.
With the development of biomedical technology since the middle of
the 20th century, the attention of medical ethics has gradually been expanded from physician patient relationship, to process of decision-making, consideration of patients’ autonomy, fairness to all, clinical consultation and research integrity….etc.
In physician patient relationship, paternalism had been used to describe the endeavor of physician to ensure that the patients receive the best possible care. In theory, physician should have only the well being and health of the patients in mind when treating a patient. The trust between patient and physician should be taken for granted and appropriately grounded as the patients without hesitation willing to give themselves to the hands and care of doctor when seeking medical help In Taiwan the general and commonly acknowledged understanding of
medical ethics is it is about medical morality that physician will practice his skill of healing according to his conscience to benefit
the patient and try his best to restore his health.
