Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
Patients with severe heart failure who request withdrawal of ventricular assist device (VAD) support have the right to do so, according to Mayo Clinic investigators. The VAD is a long-term treatment option for patients with severe heart failure, but some experience complications that lead them to request its removal.
The MRC refused to fund IVF research that led to the birth of Louise Brown, citing concerns about embryo quality and patient safety. The researchers argue for more complex reasons, including strategic errors by Edwards and Steptoe in their funding application.
The American Academy of Family Physicians accepted a large donation from Coca-Cola to fund obesity prevention materials, raising concerns about conflict of interest and loyalty to public health. In contrast, the organization's actions were seen as an effort to serve physicians and patients by addressing unmet public health needs.
A Johns Hopkins-led committee, sponsored by the FDA, will examine drug safety studies' scientific and ethical issues. The committee aims to deliver a report on July 1 outlining key considerations for clinical trials evaluating post-market drug safety.
Experts warn that poor scientific quality and lack of oversight can undermine the entire scientific enterprise. The authors propose four key questions to answer when proposing human studies of new therapies to safeguard medical research advancement.
RAM founder Stan Brock will be recognized for his 25-year commitment to delivering free healthcare worldwide. The Inamori Ethics Prize honors exemplary ethical leadership, and Brock joins Dr. Francis S. Collins and Mary Robinson as winners.
Research on individuals with impaired decision-making capacity, such as dementia patients, is crucial for developing future treatments. However, current guidelines are often arbitrary and prioritize individual interests over the well-being of these groups.
A study analyzing two popular medical dramas found that they often depict bioethical issues and actions that run afoul of professional codes of conduct. Informed consent was the most frequently observed issue, with exemplary discussions being more common than inadequate ones.
Researchers found that physicians prioritize what's best for the patient overall, followed by the patient's preferences and pain management. However, ageist assumptions may influence decision-making, with a decreased reliance on patient preferences among older adults.
Researchers found a persistent excess risk of death after hip fractures, especially in men, which does not return to pre-fracture levels even after 10 years. Additionally, an empirical study explored the ethics of payment for kidney donation, finding no association between price and willingness to donate across income levels, but highl...
A Johns Hopkins emergency physician describes the daily struggle of making emotionally difficult ethical decisions amidst a massive influx of patients and limited medical resources. The essay outlines how standards of care were adjusted to prioritize those most likely to benefit from treatment, raising concerns about inhumane medicine.
Duke University professor Amy Laura Hall argues that cultural views on evolution can have significant ethical implications. She critiques popularized ideas about evolution that reinforce racial biases, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of human development.
A UCSF team recommends modifying NIH stem cell guidelines to protect the rights of individuals donating egg or sperm to patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. The guidelines currently give IVF patients unrestricted authority over embryos leftover after fertility treatments.
A new checklist called CURVES (Choose and Communicate, Understand, Reason, Value, Emergency and Surrogate) has been developed to quickly assess a patient's decision-making capacity in emergency situations. The acronym helps physicians determine whether a patient is able to make decisions in life-or-death situations.
Women with severe obesity may receive assisted reproduction treatment if they can achieve significant weight loss. Smoking is also a concern, as it reduces fertility and increases the risk of miscarriage. The ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law suggests balancing patient autonomy with societal responsibilities and future child safety.
A Johns Hopkins neurologist argues that futile and expensive end-of-life care can be a major contributor to the unaffordable cost of healthcare. He suggests weighing patient autonomy against societal costs and suggests 'nudging' families towards comfort care, particularly in cases of premature births.
The American College of Physicians has issued a position paper to guide ethical relationships among patients, physicians, and caregivers. The paper outlines four primary principles for physicians to consider when collaborating with patients and caregivers, including respect for patient dignity and effective communication.
Genome-wide association studies are increasingly conducted in developing countries, raising ethical concerns about data release, privacy, and security. A study developed a 'managed' approach to oversee open access, define acceptable uses of data, and guide the timing of data release.
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has launched a handbook for rural health care ethics, addressing the gaps in resources for regional clinicians. The guide covers case studies and personal ethical challenges faced by healthcare professionals in rural settings.
Bioethicists at Johns Hopkins University pose questions about the moral status of embryos created from induced pluripotent stem cells. The researchers advocate for clear ethical oversight to address concerns about the scientific achievement.
The March of Dimes has established two new awards to honor established scholars in perinatal ethics and encourage young researchers to enter the field. These awards will focus on moral issues before, during, and after pregnancy, including reproductive technologies and neonatal care.
A new study published in Developing World Bioethics argues that Argentinean fertility clinics are increasingly marketing themselves to international health care consumers offering all-inclusive packages with fixed prices for fertility treatments, citing non-accredited clinics as a concern for consumer safety and effectiveness.
A study published in PLoS Medicine discusses the challenges of designing clinical trials when there is no consensus on usual medical care. The authors recommend specific criteria for assessing proposed study designs and highlight the importance of comparing management of conditions to standard care.
The new program in international research ethics at IUPUI combines coursework and a practicum experience in Kenya to equip students with expertise in bioethics. The IU-Moi Academic Research Ethics Partnership aims to build valuable bioethics capacity globally, starting with partnerships in Kenya.
A new study from the University of Leicester suggests that the Human Tissue Act 2004 may have facilitated medical research by giving Research Ethics Committees clearer guidance. The study analyzed letters written by ethics committees before and after the Act's implementation, concluding that committees were less likely to raise concern...
Healthcare patient safety interventions face complexity due to diverse populations and technologies. Guidelines from Johns Hopkins experts suggest prioritizing rare but devastating errors over more frequent systemic problems.
A national survey found that a majority of Americans believe in 'myths' about health care reform, including statements on end-of-life decisions, abortions, and illegal immigrants. The survey also showed that Republicans and Independents are more likely to believe these assertions.
The article describes the functioning of MSF's independent ERB, which has reviewed over 23 proposals since its inception. The board provides crucial ethical oversight to ensure community empowerment and vulnerable individuals' protection in research settings. Additionally, PLOS Medicine editors discuss the role of journals in addressin...
The US Department of Defense has been criticized for its handling of medical care at Guantanamo Bay, with a report highlighting concerns over the use of medical personnel in interrogation and force-feeding of detainees on hunger strike. Independent examinations of released detainees have shown severe psychological damage from detention.
A new study published in BMC Medical Ethics found that the purpose and type of information collection were more important than the individual's condition in determining consent choices. Participants preferred more control over the use of their personal information, especially when it linked to profit or personal details.
Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical research, but experts say including them in the National Children's Study could yield crucial information for women's health. The study aims to follow children from conception through adulthood, but ethicists recommend adding a few key questions on medication usage to gather valuable data.
Researchers at UT Southwestern and UT Arlington are developing magnetically controlled surgical instruments to enhance maneuverability and reduce entry ports in laparoscopic surgeries. The Magnetic Anchoring and Guidance System (MAGS) uses magnets outside the abdomen to attract instruments inserted inside, allowing for greater range of...
A recent study found that bloggers adhere to an ethical code based on standards journalists follow, with key principles including truth telling, accountability, and minimizing harm. However, the extent of their adherence depends on context and intended audience, highlighting the need for 'teeth' in ethics codes.
A study by the University of California San Francisco found that US and foreign transplant physicians express serious concern about organ procurement in China, citing coercion of organ donors and substandard medical practices. The majority of doctors surveyed would not provide post-transplantation care to patients who underwent liver t...
A new study explores how doctors and patient families decide on life-ending treatments, finding that patients who made the choice were more confident but expressed negative emotions. The researchers also found that physicians' framing of the decision can impact emotional responses.
The newly formed National Bioethics Committee for research of Gabon will review clinical trial protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of African study participants. The committee's establishment marks a significant step towards strengthening ethics review capacity in Africa.
A survey of 84 family nurse practitioners found that many are unaware of the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on their prescribing decisions. The study suggests that greater involvement in marketing may compromise critical assessment and reduce awareness of conflicts of interest.
The Declaration of Tokyo, a landmark event in medical ethics, needs revision to clarify physician roles and duties in countries with prisoner abuse. A revised version should incorporate authoritative definitions, publicly post death certificates, and commend accountability for abetting abuse.
A team of researchers highlights challenges and concerns with unlinked anonymous HIV testing in developing countries. They outline strategies to harmonize high-quality surveillance with international ethical standards, including reviewing justifications, providing confidential voluntary testing, and strengthening local capacity.
The study, funded by the Greenwall Foundation, aims to develop recommendations for comprehensive and integrated care for children with LTNMDs. The research focuses on the attitudes and behaviors of health professionals who care for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.
A recent editorial emphasizes the importance of apologizing for medical errors to improve patient safety and quality of care. Canadian provinces and territories should enact apology laws to provide early settlement or no-fault compensation.
The Institute of Medicine has elected three Johns Hopkins University researchers - Harry C. Dietz, Lisa A. Cooper, and Nancy Kass - for their exceptional contributions to medical science and public health. They have conducted pioneering research on cardiovascular disease, racial disparities in medical care, and bioethics, among other a...
A new study by Johns Hopkins University found that patients are more concerned about certain types of financial interests, especially when the investigator owns stock in the company financing the study. Patients expressed a moderate degree of willingness to join a clinical trial regardless of disclosure, but were less willing and made ...
Anna Pou, M.D. will lead a discussion on emergency preparedness and disaster medicine, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines and legislative protections for healthcare professionals. The presentation aims to provide a national consensus on ethical guidelines for physicians caring for casualties of disasters.
Drug doping poses significant health risks to athletes and undermines fair competition. The introduction of effective anti-doping programs is essential to maintain trust in sports and protect athlete well-being.
A study analyzing media coverage of the Schiavo case found that most articles contained medical inaccuracies and false hopes about her recovery. The researchers emphasize the importance of accurate information in end-of-life decision-making, which was challenged by relatives and public opinion during this high-profile controversy.
Gene therapy research in low- and middle-income countries has raised concerns about the ethical use of patients from deprived populations. Researchers argue that these trials should address local health needs and be affordable for implementation in those countries' healthcare systems.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that editors' expectations for quality reporting have a strong relationship with journal quality. Italian journals, which lack international standards, perform poorly compared to UK journals, indicating the importance of editorial leadership in promoting high-quality research.
A team of scholars argues that modifying lethal injection protocols in US states could be tantamount to experimenting on prisoners without their consent. Guidelines for human research involving humans were developed to prevent exploitation of vulnerable populations like death row inmates, but many states fail to follow these guidelines.
New guidelines provide guidance for medical researchers on how to handle ancillary care needs in developing countries. The four Ps - Positive obligation, Planning Partnership, and Practical steps - offer a framework for addressing these needs.
Regulators may need to overhaul regulations for human studies, experts say, to allow patient safety research to move forward. Current rules can hinder the development of low-risk interventions that save lives and reduce costs.
A moral philosopher is investigating the ethics of medicated memory manipulation, particularly in the context of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The use of beta-blockers to dampen emotional responses to traumatic events may undermine an individual's understanding of their moral responsibility.
Francis S. Collins, a renowned geneticist and former Human Genome Project leader, has been awarded the inaugural Inamori Ethics Prize at Case Western Reserve University. The prize recognizes his outstanding contributions to promoting ethical leadership in genetics and improving human health.
A consensus statement provides guidance for whole-genome research participants regarding informed consent, withdrawal, results return, and data public release. The authors emphasize the need for robust governance and oversight mechanisms to protect participants' privacy and autonomy.
Physicians must not participate in executions as it contradicts the core concept of ethics in medicine. Lethal injections used in executions raise concerns about pain and human suffering, with experts calling for improved procedures to ensure humane treatment. The Mayo Clinic Proceedings provides a forum for debate on this critical issue.
The American College of Physicians emphasizes the need to balance performance incentives with patient-centered care. Pay-for-performance programs may neglect complex patient needs, particularly for elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions. ACP advocates for a more nuanced approach that prioritizes patient welfare and preferences.
The use of RFID devices in patients raises benefits such as improved patient safety and expediting access to medical records. However, risks include potential unintended consequences, including loss of privacy and accessibility issues, as well as misuse by law enforcement or other malicious actors.
A new study suggests that climate change will primarily impact the world's poor, who are least responsible for the problem, highlighting an ethical crisis. The research, led by Jonathan Patz, quantifies the relationship between carbon emissions and disease burden, revealing stark contrasts between developed and developing countries.
Experts from University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins discuss strategies for successful HPV vaccination programs, including long-term safety assessments and patient education. The authors emphasize the importance of designing programs in developing countries to combat widespread cervical cancer cases.
Researchers developed an approach based on negotiation skills to manage conflicts between physicians, patients, and families. Clinicians can use skillful negotiation techniques to reach a balanced solution that satisfies all parties.