Zhu Cindy Shiqi, Chan Wee Lee
Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, Singapore.
Asian Bioeth Rev. 2018 May 29;10(2):157-163. doi: 10.1007/s41649-018-0051-2. eCollection 2018 Jul.
In Singapore's multicultural society, a sizable proportion of the population subscribes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In this article, we discuss the impact this has on medical practice in the context of the four principles of medical ethics. To uphold the principle of autonomy, we propose a non-judgmental approach towards patients who use CAM. Nevertheless, in order to promote health (beneficence) and prevent harm (non-maleficence), the safety profiles of CAM must be studied through systematic research. In addition, the principle of justice is one concerned with the fair distribution of scarce healthcare resources, while granting equal access to healthcare regardless of beliefs. Understanding CAM from an ethical perspective allows for the provision of safe, holistic, and culturally relevant care.
在新加坡的多元文化社会中，相当一部分人口信奉补充替代医学（CAM）。在本文中，我们将在医学伦理四大原则的背景下讨论其对医疗实践的影响。为维护自主原则，我们建议对使用补充替代医学的患者采取不评判的态度。然而，为了促进健康（有益）和预防伤害（不伤害），必须通过系统研究来探究补充替代医学的安全性。此外，公正原则涉及稀缺医疗资源的公平分配，同时无论患者信仰如何都应确保平等获得医疗服务。从伦理角度理解补充替代医学有助于提供安全、全面且符合文化背景的护理。
