If a CAM provider's practice could cause harm due to unsafe methods, which ethical principle is primarily violated?

If a CAM provider's practice could cause harm due to unsafe methods, which ethical principle is primarily violated?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Autonomy
• C. Justice
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (D)

The main concept is nonmaleficence—the obligation to do no harm. When a CAM provider uses unsafe methods, the risk of causing injury or harm is real, and this breaches the duty to avoid harm to patients. Even if there is a potential benefit, harming a patient cannot be justified; safety must come first. Autonomy concerns respecting patients’ choices and informed decisions, and justice relates to fair treatment, but the core violation here is failing to prevent harm. Beneficence is about promoting good, but if the methods are unsafe, the act cannot be considered beneficent.

The main concept is nonmaleficence—the obligation to do no harm. When a CAM provider uses unsafe methods, the risk of causing injury or harm is real, and this breaches the duty to avoid harm to patients. Even if there is a potential benefit, harming a patient cannot be justified; safety must come first. Autonomy concerns respecting patients’ choices and informed decisions, and justice relates to fair treatment, but the core violation here is failing to prevent harm. Beneficence is about promoting good, but if the methods are unsafe, the act cannot be considered beneficent.