Which ethical principle is described as being faithful to commitments and promises?

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Fidelity is being faithful to commitments and promises made to patients, which builds trust in the care relationship. In practice, this means following through on plans discussed with a patient, keeping confidences, and honoring agreed-upon follow-ups or referrals. For example, if you promise to call with test results or arrange a follow-up appointment, you do so reliably, even when other tasks are busy. This is distinct from veracity (truth-telling), autonomy (respecting a patient’s right to make their own choices), and beneficence (acting in the patient’s best interest). Fidelity specifically centers on reliability and keeping commitments that patients depend on.