AlphaMED Resources · https://alphamedicine.uk/Resources/glossary/proportionality
Proportionality
Proportionality means the response should match the size of the problem.
Summary
- An intervention that limits freedom or carries risk has to be justified by the benefit expected from it.
- Where two options would work, the less restrictive one is preferred.
- It governs restraint, detention under the Mental Health Act and decisions to break confidentiality.
Interview questions
- When is it acceptable to restrain a patient?
- Was it proportionate to require care home staff to be vaccinated against Covid?
- How much information should you share when you have to break confidentiality?
Practise answering these with a mentor
Our interview preparation has you answer questions like these out loud, with feedback on each answer.
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More NHS hot topics, medical ethics case studies and medical school interview questions are in AlphaMED Resources, which we add to and update through the application cycle.