Ethics of virtue applied to medical deontology

Abstract Throughout history, medical ethics has taken on different perspectives. Nowadays, the indisputable understanding seems to be that of the supremacy of normative ethics as the one that best meets the needs of the relationship between medical professionals and their patients. Given this context, this investigation sought to understand how the ethics of virtues can contribute so that medical deontology can be effective and virtuous targeting the well-being of patients. To seek this understanding, a bibliographic search of narrative and critical theoretical-conceptual character was carried out. The hypothesis is that although deontology is the most accepted and practiced guide in the professional-patient relationship, if it is not accompanied by an ethics of virtue to guide medical action, there is no guarantee that the mere fulfillment of the rule is virtuous with regard to the patient's well-being.