The duty to treat all individuals fairly falls under which principle?

The principle of justice is fundamentally about fairness and equality in the provision of healthcare services, which includes the responsibility to treat all individuals without discrimination. In the context of physical therapy and healthcare at large, justice ensures that patients receive equal access to treatment and that decisions regarding care are made based on clinical need rather than extraneous factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, or other personal characteristics.

This principle emphasizes the importance of advocating for fair policies and practices within the healthcare system. It not only guides individual practitioners in their treatment approach but also addresses broader issues of equity in health outcomes across populations. This is essential for fostering trust in the healthcare system and promoting overall societal health.

Beneficence relates to the obligation of healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient, while nonmaleficence focuses on the duty to avoid harm. Confidentiality pertains to the ethical duty of maintaining patient privacy. While these principles are crucial to quality care, they do not specifically define the obligation to treat all individuals fairly, which is the heart of the justice principle.