Proportionality

Proportionality means the response should match the size of the problem.

Updated 12 October 2026 (1 minute read)

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.

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.