The cognitive and affective processes which constitute an internalized moral governor over an individual's moral conduct.

Refusal of the health professional to initiate or continue treatment of a patient or group of patients. The refusal can be based on any reason. The concept is differentiated from PATIENT REFUSAL OF TREATMENT see TREATMENT REFUSAL which originates with the patient and not the health professional.

The reporting of observed or suspected PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT or incompetence to appropriate authorities or to the public.

Differences of opinion or disagreements that may arise, for example, between health professionals and patients or their families, or against a political regime.

The philosophy or code pertaining to what is ideal in human character and conduct. Also, the field of study dealing with the principles of morality.

An oath, attributed to Hippocrates, that serves as an ethical guide for the medical profession.

The rights of individuals to act and make decisions without external constraints.

The process by which individuals internalize standards of right and wrong conduct.

Duties that are based in ETHICS, rather than in law.

Termination of pregnancy under conditions allowed under local laws. (POPLINE Thesaurus, 1991)

A health professional's obligation to breach patient CONFIDENTIALITY to warn third parties of the danger of their being assaulted or of contracting a serious infection.

The study of religion and religious belief, or a particular system or school of religious beliefs and teachings (from online Cambridge Dictionary of American English, 2000 and WordNet: An Electronic Lexical Database, 1997)

Means of postcoital intervention to avoid pregnancy, such as the administration of POSTCOITAL CONTRACEPTIVES to prevent FERTILIZATION of an egg or implantation of a fertilized egg (OVUM IMPLANTATION).

The interrelationship of medicine and religion.

The principles of professional conduct concerning the rights and duties of the physician, relations with patients and fellow practitioners, as well as actions of the physician in patient care and interpersonal relations with patient families.

Recording of information on magnetic or punched paper tape.