What is the general term for the field of study that combines ethics and medical practice?

The field of study that combines ethics and medical practice is broadly known as healthcare ethics. This discipline addresses the moral principles and values that guide decision-making in healthcare settings, encompassing patient care, medical research, and public health policies. It lays the framework for understanding complex issues such as patient autonomy, informed consent, confidentiality, and resource allocation.

Healthcare ethics provides essential guidelines for healthcare professionals to navigate dilemmas that may arise in clinical practice, ensuring that patient welfare is prioritized while also considering the implications of medical advancements and societal values. This area is crucial for maintaining trust between patients and providers, promoting ethical standards throughout the healthcare system.

While other terms like medical jurisprudence and clinical bioethics refer to related concepts, they are more specialized. Medical jurisprudence typically involves the legal aspects of medicine, and clinical bioethics focuses specifically on ethical issues faced in clinical settings rather than the broader scope covered by healthcare ethics. Moral philosophy encompasses a wider range of ethical considerations not limited to the medical field, thus making healthcare ethics the most comprehensive and relevant term in this context.