Final answer:
Acting on behalf of patients in healthcare includes the use of standardized patient programs for practice and feedback, educating patients while respecting their cultural values, and abiding by ethical principles like autonomy and nonmaleficence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acting on behalf of patients refers to situations in healthcare where professionals advocate for their patients and make decisions in their best interest. One example of this is the use of standardized patient programs, where actors play the role of patients and healthcare students or professionals practice treating them. The feedback received helps improve patient care.
Another example is when healthcare professionals educate patients about behaviors that put them at risk for diseases, like HIV. It is essential for healthcare professionals to set aside personal opinions and promote disease prevention, while still respecting the cultural and moral values of their patients.
Additionally, healthcare professionals must abide by ethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, when making decisions that affect patient outcomes. These principles guide professionals to prioritize patient well-being and act in ways that do not cause harm.