Which statement best defines beneficence in healthcare ethics?

• A. Autonomy is the obligation to respect a patient’s right to make decisions.
• B. Non-maleficence is the obligation to do no harm.
• C. Justice is about fair distribution of resources.
• D. Beneficence is about promoting good and promoting the patient’s well-being.

Answer: (D)

Beneficence means the clinician has an obligation to actively promote the patient’s good—taking steps that improve health, relieve suffering, and enhance overall well-being. This involves choosing actions that provide real benefits, while also weighing risks and burdens and obtaining informed consent. In practice, beneficence can include offering effective treatments, providing preventive care, or delivering comfort measures that improve the patient’s quality of life. It’s distinct from autonomy (respecting a patient’s right to decide), non-maleficence (not causing harm), and justice (fair distribution of resources). So, beneficence is best described as promoting good and the patient’s well-being.