What ethical duty relates to fairness in treatment and distribution of resources?

Justice is considered the ethical duty that relates to fairness in treatment and the distribution of resources. In healthcare, this principle emphasizes that all patients should have equitable access to care and that resources should be allocated based on need rather than factors like socioeconomic status, race, or personal characteristics. It plays a crucial role in guiding healthcare policies, ensuring that community health resources and interventions are distributed justly.

This ethical principle is essential for promoting trust in the healthcare system, as it addresses potential disparities and aims to ensure that every individual receives fair treatment. Moreover, it often intersects with other ethical concepts like beneficence and autonomy, creating a comprehensive framework for ethical decision-making in clinical practice. In contrast, the other ethical duties mentioned—nonmaleficence, veracity, and fidelity—focus on aspects like avoiding harm, truthfulness, and loyalty rather than the equitable distribution of resources.