Which ethical principle involves providing benefit to the patient?

The ethical principle that involves providing benefit to the patient is beneficence. Beneficence refers to the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others and to promote their well-being. In the context of healthcare, this means that medical professionals are required to take action that contributes positively to the health and welfare of patients. This principle is central to clinical ethics, guiding healthcare providers to not only avoid causing harm but also to actively seek to improve their patients' health outcomes.

Justice relates to fairness and equality in the distribution of healthcare resources, while nonmaleficence focuses on the obligation to avoid causing harm. Autonomy emphasizes respecting a patient’s right to make their own choices about their care. While all these principles are essential in healthcare ethics, beneficence is specifically about taking action to benefit patients, making it the key principle in this context.