What ethical principle emphasizes doing no harm in healthcare?

The ethical principle that emphasizes doing no harm in healthcare is non-maleficence. This principle focuses on the obligation of healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients, whether through actions of commission (doing something harmful) or omission (failing to provide necessary care). Non-maleficence is foundational in medical ethics as it guides providers to prioritize patient safety and welfare, ensuring that interventions do not adversely affect a patient's health.

In contrast, beneficence refers to the duty to promote good and act in the best interest of patients, which encompasses providing beneficial care as well as avoiding harm. Justice relates to fairness and equity in the distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. Autonomy emphasizes respecting a patient’s rights to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. While all these principles are vital in healthcare ethics, non-maleficence specifically focuses on the critical obligation to prevent harm, making it the correct choice in this context.