Medical ethics is a branch of ethics that studies the problem of the relationship between medical professionals and patients and colleagues. 

The fundamental principles of medical ethics:

The principle of charity (beneficence) is a physician's obligation to act in favor of the patient and to follow a set of moral rules to protect the rights of others, prevent harm (including the elimination of conditions that may cause harm), help people with disabilities and rescue people in danger. The principle calls not only to avoid harm, but also to benefit patients and promote their well-being.

Non-harmfulness is a physician's duty not to harm a patient. This simply stated principle supports several moral rules: do not kill, do not cause pain or suffering, do not impair, do not insult, and do not deprive others of the benefits of life. The practical application of nonmaleficence is for the doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of all interventions and treatments, and to avoid those that have a significantly higher risk than the likely benefit. In other words, the doctor should choose the best course of action for the patient. 

The principle of autonomy: All human beings have inherent value and therefore should have the right to make rational decisions and moral choices, and everyone should be allowed to exercise their capacity for self-determination. This principle does not apply to persons who do not have the capacity (competence) to act for themselves; examples include infants and children, as well as incompetence due to mental or physical disabilities.  Respect for the principle of autonomy obliges the physician to disclose medical information and treatment options that are necessary for the patient's self-determination and to respect informеd consent, truth and confidentiality.

Justice is generally interpreted as the fair and appropriate treatment of people. Of the several categories of justice, the most relevant to clinical ethics is distributive justice. Distributive justice refers to the fair, equitable, and appropriate distribution of health care resources as determined by reasonable norms that structure the terms of social cooperation. There are various applicable principles of equity of distribution. It is the distribution of an equal share to each person, according to:

- needs

- efforts

- contribution

- merit;

- free market. 

Each principle is not exclusive; they are often combined in application. 

In addition, certain somatic diseases can have their own mental manifestations, and the doctor should also be prepared for this and treat the patient with understanding and empathy.

A physician must be able to give a thorough answer to any patient's question about the disease and treatment, and be able to explain complex things in an accessible, understandable way. This is where pathophysiology comes in, because without a deep understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying the disease, it is impossible to do the above.

Reference:

1. Principles of Clinical Ethics and Their Application to Practice / Varkey, B. // Medical Principles and Practice : An International Journal for Medical and Biomedical Sciences. – 2021. – Vol. 30, No. 1. – p. 17. 

2. Williams, John R. / Medical ethics manual : World Medical Association (WMA). – 2009.