Which principle obligates to seek good for patients?

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

Answer: (B)

Beneficence is the obligation to promote the patient’s good and welfare. In practice, this means actively seeking to improve health, relieve suffering, and prevent harm by offering effective, appropriate treatments and interventions that have a favorable balance of benefits over risks. It drives clinicians to act in the patient’s best interests and to pursue care that truly enhances well-being.

This principle is distinct from autonomy, which centers on respecting a patient’s right to make their own choices; nonmaleficence, which is the duty to do no harm; and justice, which focuses on fair and equal distribution of resources and care. In real-life care, beneficence guides decisions like choosing evidence-based therapies and pursuing actions most likely to improve outcomes, while still considering and respecting patient preferences when possible.