MEDICAL DEONTOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY HEALTHCARE: PRINCIPLES, PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND EMERGING CHALLENGES

Аннотация

Medical deontology constitutes a fundamental component of professional medical practice and encompasses the duties, professional conduct, interpersonal responsibilities, and moral principles that guide healthcare professionals in their interactions with patients, colleagues, and society. The development of modern medicine has expanded professional responsibility beyond the technical provision of healthcare to include respect for patient autonomy, confidentiality, informed decision-making, dignity, equality, and accountability. This narrative review examines the principal dimensions of contemporary medical deontology, including professional responsibility, doctor–patient communication, confidentiality, informed consent, patient dignity, professional boundaries, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ethical challenges associated with digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The reviewed literature indicates that deontological principles remain closely connected with patient trust, transparent communication, professional accountability, and patient-centered care. Contemporary guidance also emphasizes continuous professional development, respect for human dignity and autonomy, and responsible use of health information and emerging technologies. Medical deontology should therefore be understood not as a static collection of behavioral rules but as a dynamic professional framework whose application evolves with medical science, healthcare organization, law, and technology. Systematic ethical education during undergraduate training and continuing professional development is important for maintaining high standards of professional conduct.