Ethical principles involved in the distribution of primary care include: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Autonomy is essential when attempting to distribute this resource, because it applies when someone is attempting to decide what kind of primary care they would like to receive or seek ("Four fundamental principles of ethics", 2016). In rural areas several circumstances may interfere with a resident’s autonomy. The decision to seek treatment in a distance location is a factor, and the decision to take, continue, or abide by suggested treatment as well.
Beneficence may be another common ethical principle involved in rural area distribution of primary care. The obligation to do good things for others is the primary idea behind the principle and should be considered when attempting to provide primary care to rural area residents ("Four fundamental principles of ethics", 2016). Not following this principle, may lead to a since of bias or unconcern when attempting to treat residents. Nonmaleficience should also be a principle for all health care professionals and
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For example, when applying justice and beneficence to a realistic situation, where a person has no insurance and is in need of preventive and/or basic care; one may argue that they are owed and deserve care; and the provider is required to bring good to them. A person could also realistically and logically argue that the treatment does not have to be provided because the person cannot pay for it. The provider is not ethically doing them wrong; or not giving them what they owe or deserve, even if they are ill, because they cannot afford it. If they had insurance and could afford it, and were denied treatment; a person could then logically and realistically argue that a provider was violating the justice and beneficence ethical