目次
Healthcare & Medical Ethics Vocabulary（医療・医療倫理）英検1級ボキャブラリー
はじめに
医療や医療倫理は、英検1級の長文読解・ライティング・スピーキングにおいて頻出する重要テーマの一つです。近年では、終末期医療、安楽死、医療格差、医療AI、パンデミック対策など、倫理的判断を伴う医療問題が国際的な議論の中心となっており、試験でも抽象度の高い語彙理解が求められます。
特に英検1級では、単に「病気」や「治療」を表す基本語ではなく、患者の権利、医療制度、生命倫理、公衆衛生といった概念を正確に表現できる語彙力が合否を左右します。これらの語彙は、長文中での意味理解だけでなく、ライティングやスピーキングで自分の意見を論理的に述べる際にも不可欠です。
本記事では、英検1級レベルで押さえておくべきHealthcare & Medical Ethics（医療・医療倫理）関連の重要語彙30語を厳選しました。実際の試験や時事問題で使われやすい語を中心に構成しているため、暗記用リストとしても、実践的なアウトプット用語彙としても活用できます。
このボキャブラリーを通じて、医療分野における複雑な問題を英語で理解し、自分の立場を明確に表現できる力を身につけていきましょう。
学習のポイント（英検1級対策）
Healthcare & Medical Ethics 分野の語彙は、単語単体で覚えるよりも、「立場・対立・判断」を表す文脈の中で使えるかどうかが重要です。英検1級では、医療そのものよりも医療を巡る価値観や倫理的判断が問われる傾向があります。
1. 抽象語は「対立構造」で理解する
以下のような価値の衝突を意識すると、語彙が記憶に残りやすくなります。
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autonomy（自己決定） vs. mandatory vaccination（義務化）
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patient confidentiality（守秘義務） vs. public health emergency（公衆衛生）
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life-prolonging treatment（延命治療） vs. quality of life（生活の質）
英検1級の長文やライティングでは、こうした対立構造がそのまま設問になります。
2. 名詞＋動詞・形容詞の組み合わせで覚える
単語単体ではなく、使われる形ごと覚えるのが効果的です。
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raise ethical concerns（倫理的懸念を提起する）
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ensure informed consent（適切な説明と同意を確保する）
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address healthcare disparity（医療格差に対処する）
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prioritize patient welfare（患者の利益を最優先する）
これらはそのまま英作文で使える表現です。
3. ライティングでは「中立語彙」を優先する
医療倫理のテーマでは、感情的な語よりも客観・中立的な語彙が評価されます。
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good / bad → ethical / unethical
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problem → ethical dilemma
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unfair → unjust / inequitable
特に justice / ethical dilemma / conflict of interest は、評価を上げやすい語彙です。
4. スピーキングでは「具体例＋語彙」を意識
スピーキングでは、語彙を具体例と一緒に使えるかが重要です。
例：
Medical AI can improve efficiency, but it also raises ethical concerns about data privacy and algorithmic bias.
短くても、1文に2〜3語入ると英検1級レベルになります。
5. 覚える優先順位（時間がない人向け）
最優先（必須）
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autonomy
-
informed consent
-
ethical dilemma
-
justice
-
healthcare disparity
余裕があれば
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medical AI
-
data privacy
-
euthanasia
-
mandatory vaccination
重要語彙 例文（Exam-Oriented Examples）
1. 医療倫理・患者の権利
autonomy
（患者の自己決定権）
Respecting patient autonomy is a fundamental principle of modern medical ethics.
informed consent
（十分な説明を受けた上での同意／インフォームド・コンセント）
Doctors must obtain informed consent before initiating any medical procedure.
patient confidentiality
（患者の守秘義務）
Patient confidentiality may be compromised during a public health emergency.
beneficence / non-maleficence
（善行／無危害：患者の利益を優先し、害を与えない原則）
Medical professionals are expected to act in accordance with beneficence and non-maleficence.
justice
（医療における公正・公平）
The principle of justice requires fair access to healthcare resources.
ethical dilemma
（倫理的ジレンマ）
End-of-life care often presents doctors with a serious ethical dilemma.
2. 医療制度・医療アクセス
universal healthcare
（国民皆保険制度）
Universal healthcare aims to provide medical services regardless of income.
healthcare disparity
（医療格差）
Healthcare disparities remain a major issue in developing countries.
access to healthcare
（医療へのアクセス）
Rural communities often have limited access to healthcare.
medical infrastructure
（医療インフラ）
Weak medical infrastructure worsened the impact of the pandemic.
healthcare workforce shortage
（医療従事者不足）
Many countries are struggling with a healthcare workforce shortage.
3. 終末期医療・生命倫理
palliative care
（緩和ケア）
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than prolonging it.
life-prolonging treatment
（延命治療）
Some patients choose to refuse life-prolonging treatment.
DNR (do-not-resuscitate order)
（蘇生拒否指示）
A DNR order must be clearly documented and respected.
advance directive
（事前指示書）
An advance directive helps clarify a patient’s wishes in advance.
euthanasia / physician-assisted suicide
（安楽死／医師幇助自殺）
Euthanasia remains highly controversial from an ethical standpoint.
4. 医療研究・臨床試験
clinical trial
（臨床試験）
The vaccine was approved after a large-scale clinical trial.
double-blind study
（二重盲検試験）
A double-blind study reduces the risk of bias.
placebo
（プラセボ／偽薬）
Some participants were given a placebo instead of the actual drug.
human subject protection
（被験者保護）
Human subject protection is essential in medical research.
conflict of interest
（利益相反）
Financial ties may create a conflict of interest.
5. 先端医療・公衆衛生
medical AI
（医療AI）
Medical AI has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy.
data privacy
（データプライバシー／個人情報保護）
Data privacy is a growing concern in digital healthcare.
genetic testing
（遺伝子検査）
Genetic testing raises ethical questions about discrimination.
algorithmic bias
（アルゴリズムの偏り）
Algorithmic bias may lead to unequal medical treatment.
public health emergency
（公衆衛生上の緊急事態）
Extraordinary measures are sometimes required during a public health emergency.
mandatory vaccination / herd immunity
（予防接種の義務化／集団免疫）
Mandatory vaccination is often justified to achieve herd immunity.
試験対策ワンポイント
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ライティングでは 1パラグラフに2〜3語入ると1級レベル
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スピーキングでは 短くても抽象語を入れるのが評価アップ
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長文では ethical / controversial / controversial issue に注目
英検1級ライティング模範解答
Topic: Medical Ethics in Modern Healthcare
Question (想定):
Some people argue that medical decisions should always respect patient autonomy, while others believe public health should take priority. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answer（約230語）
In modern healthcare, ethical decision-making often involves balancing individual rights with collective well-being. One key issue is whether patient autonomy should always be respected, or whether public health concerns should sometimes take priority.
On the one hand, respecting patient autonomy is a fundamental principle of medical ethics. Patients have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies, provided that informed consent is properly obtained. This principle is particularly important in end-of-life care, where decisions about life-prolonging treatment, advance directives, or do-not-resuscitate orders directly affect a patient’s dignity and quality of life. Ignoring a patient’s wishes may undermine trust in the healthcare system.
On the other hand, public health emergencies may justify limiting individual autonomy. During pandemics, measures such as mandatory vaccination or quarantine can be necessary to achieve herd immunity and protect vulnerable populations. In such cases, prioritizing patient confidentiality or personal choice may worsen healthcare disparities and strain medical infrastructure. Governments therefore face an ethical dilemma when individual rights conflict with collective safety.
In my opinion, patient autonomy should be respected whenever possible, but it should not be absolute. In situations involving serious public health risks, limited restrictions can be ethically justified, provided that policies are transparent, proportionate, and based on sound scientific evidence. Ultimately, striking a balance between individual rights and public health is essential to ensuring justice in modern healthcare.
試験対策ポイント
-
autonomy / informed consent / ethical dilemma / justice が自然に入る
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賛成・反対を原則ベース（ethics）で整理
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最後は strike a balance 型で締めると安定
英検1級 スピーキング想定Q&A
Healthcare & Medical Ethics
Question 1
Do you think patient autonomy should always be respected in medical decision-making?
Model Answer（約40〜50秒）
I believe patient autonomy should be respected in most cases, as it is a fundamental principle of medical ethics. Patients have the right to make informed decisions about their own treatment, and informed consent helps ensure trust between doctors and patients. However, autonomy should not be absolute. In certain situations, such as public health emergencies, individual choices may conflict with the safety of others. Therefore, while autonomy is important, it must sometimes be balanced with broader ethical responsibilities.
Question 2
What ethical issues are associated with end-of-life care?
Model Answer（約40〜50秒）
End-of-life care raises several ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding life-prolonging treatment and quality of life. Some patients may wish to refuse aggressive treatment and instead receive palliative care. Others may rely on advance directives or DNR orders to express their wishes. Medical professionals must balance beneficence and non-maleficence while respecting patient autonomy, which can be extremely challenging in emotionally sensitive situations.
Question 3
How has technology changed ethical discussions in healthcare?
Model Answer（約40〜50秒）
Advances in medical AI and genetic testing have significantly changed ethical discussions in healthcare. While these technologies can improve efficiency and accuracy, they also raise concerns about data privacy and algorithmic bias. There is also the risk that unequal access to advanced technology could worsen healthcare disparities. As a result, strong ethical guidelines are necessary to ensure justice and human subject protection.
Question 4
Should governments enforce mandatory vaccination?
Model Answer（約40〜50秒）
Mandatory vaccination can be ethically justified in order to achieve herd immunity, especially during a public health emergency. Although such policies may limit individual autonomy, they can protect vulnerable populations and prevent healthcare systems from collapsing. However, governments should clearly communicate risks and benefits and address public concerns to maintain trust and fairness.
スピーキング対策ポイント
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1回答につき抽象語2〜3語入れば1級水準
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I believe / In my opinion で始めると安定
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最後は balance / ethical challenge / justified で締める
語彙問題演習（Reading Vocabulary Practice）
Question 1
Doctors must respect patient _____, allowing individuals to make decisions about their own medical treatment.
A. immunity
B. autonomy
C. confidentiality
D. infrastructure
Question 2
During a public health emergency, governments may temporarily restrict individual rights to protect _____ safety.
A. genetic
B. ethical
C. collective
D. artificial
Question 3
Before participating in a clinical trial, patients must give _____ consent after receiving sufficient information.
A. verbal
B. ethical
C. informed
D. legal
Question 4
Medical professionals are expected to follow the principle of _____, meaning they should avoid causing harm to patients.
A. justice
B. autonomy
C. beneficence
D. non-maleficence
Question 5
Unequal access to medical services is often described as healthcare _____.
A. infrastructure
B. disparity
C. autonomy
D. efficiency
Question 6
End-of-life care often presents doctors with an ethical _____, especially when patients refuse life-prolonging treatment.
A. principle
B. regulation
C. dilemma
D. advantage
Question 7
A _____ order instructs medical staff not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.
A. placebo
B. hospice
C. DNR
D. IRB
Question 8
The study was designed as a _____ study so that neither doctors nor patients knew who received the real drug.
A. placebo
B. double-blind
C. long-term
D. qualitative
Question 9
The rapid spread of infectious disease may justify _____ vaccination to achieve herd immunity.
A. voluntary
B. selective
C. experimental
D. mandatory
Question 10
The use of medical AI has raised concerns about data privacy and _____ bias.
A. algorithmic
B. ethical
C. clinical
D. cultural
解答・解説（Answer Key）
-
B. autonomy
患者の自己決定権。医療倫理の基本語。 -
C. collective
collective safety = 集団の安全。公衆衛生文脈で頻出。 -
C. informed
informed consent は固定表現。 -
D. non-maleficence
「害を与えない」原則。beneficence と対で出やすい。 -
B. disparity
healthcare disparity = 医療格差。 -
C. dilemma
ethical dilemma は英検1級超頻出コロケーション。 -
C. DNR
do-not-resuscitate order の略語。 -
B. double-blind
二重盲検試験。clinical trial 文脈で定番。 -
D. mandatory
mandatory vaccination = 予防接種義務化。 -
A. algorithmic
algorithmic bias はAI倫理の定番表現。
英検1級・語彙問題攻略ポイント
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空所前後のコロケーションを見る
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抽象名詞（autonomy / justice / dilemma）が正解になりやすい
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医療×倫理×公衆衛生は 時事語彙の宝庫
