AlphaMED Resources · https://alphamedicine.uk/Resources/precautionary-principle
Precautionary principle
The precautionary principle says that a lack of scientific certainty is no reason to delay action against a serious or irreversible harm.
Summary
- It is used in public health when a decision cannot wait for full evidence.
- Early pandemic measures, such as lockdowns and face coverings, are often given as examples.
- Pausing a medicine while a suspected side effect is investigated is another example.
- Its cost is that caution has harms of its own, which are easy to overlook.
Interview questions
- Should a new vaccine be paused after a small number of reports of a serious side effect?
- How much evidence should a government need before restricting people's freedom?
- Can being too cautious harm patients?
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.