Which term describes a healthcare worker's duty to care for patients?

The term that best describes a healthcare worker's duty to care for patients is the standard of care. This concept refers to the level and type of care that a reasonably competent healthcare professional, with a similar background and in the same medical community, would provide under the same or similar circumstances. It establishes the expectations for patient care and ensures that healthcare professionals operate within a framework that prioritizes patient safety, well-being, and effective treatment.

While there are important principles associated with the other terms—such as the code of ethics, which provides a set of moral guidelines for professional behavior, and patient rights, which outlines the entitlements of individuals receiving care—these do not specifically define the duty of care itself. Professional conduct pertains to the behavior and attitudes expected from healthcare workers but is more about the manner in which they perform their duties rather than the fundamental obligation to provide care. Thus, standard of care specifically encapsulates the legal and ethical duty a healthcare worker has toward their patients.