Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed emoji use among hospitalists and found that emojis do not cause confusion or affect professionalism. The researchers analyzed thousands of lines of messages and discovered that emojis often serve a linguistic role, adding new information to the conversation.
A study of hospital transfers during COVID-19 found that decision-makers, environmental factors, and patient characteristics played a significant role in transfer decisions. The researchers identified three categories of factors affecting these decisions, which often resulted in moral distress for healthcare workers.
The US has implemented laws banning transgender youth from competing in sports according to their gender identity. However, existing evidence does not support these restrictions, as they would deprive vulnerable trans youth of physical, mental, and social benefits. The article proposes changes to promote a more inclusive and fair athle...
Researchers investigate the potential of ChatGPT in clinical radiology, highlighting its positive considerations, such as enhancing patient care and radiologist education, as well as negative concerns, like accuracy and transparency issues. The paper aims to initiate an engaging discussion on the use of AI-powered chatbots in this field.
A new paper proposes a comprehensive ethical framework for the responsible use, design, and governance of Generative AI applications in healthcare and medicine. The study highlights key applications and risk factors, proposing risk mitigation pathways and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe innovation.
A new University of Florida study reveals high-quality human DNA in various environments, including beaches, rivers, and air samples. The findings raise significant ethical concerns about consent and privacy, highlighting the need for policymakers to develop regulations.
Human brain organoids, grown in labs from stem cells, raise questions about personhood. Researchers propose a legal framework to understand their potential personhood and uses.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a statement addressing factors that contribute to bias in clinical genetic testing. The statement highlights three main areas: environmental, clinical, and technical biases, which affect health equity for individuals from historically marginalized populations.
A national survey of radiologists reveals moral distress is widespread, often stemming from high case volumes and lack of administrative support. The study highlights the need for education of leadership regarding causes of distress among frontline workers to address this issue.
Researchers create lab-grown brain organoids as biological hardware to drive computing forward. These three-dimensional cultures can process information faster and more efficiently than current silicon computers.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with primary care practitioners and patients to document experiences with digital surveillance of infectious diseases. The study identified five frequently-mentioned concerns, including ambiguity around informed consent and the potential for discrimination against certain groups.
A study found that primary care clinics increased care management processes for chronic disease care from 2019 to 2021, with scores improving in organized and urban settings. However, performance and patient management areas saw a decline in 2021, with rural areas performing lower than urban ones.
A new paper proposes sharing intellectual property rights to vaccines with the global community to increase access and potentially save millions of lives. By doing so, companies can raise prices for medicines under patents and sell them only to those willing to pay the most to maximize profits.
A global registry for gene-drive modified organisms could facilitate transparent communication, monitor ecological impacts, and inform local decision-making. Experts agree that a registry is necessary for the fair development, testing, and use of gene-drive technologies.
A national survey of healthcare providers reveals that nearly 60% believe telehealth is 'dangerous' for older adults, while another 60% say it's an unrealistic option. However, 68% of clinicians report often or always working to prepare and account for older adults' physical and cognitive differences.
Veterinary experts warn that AI algorithms used in radiology and imaging can provide faulty or incomplete diagnoses, posing risks to patient care. The absence of regulatory oversight for veterinary AI products increases concerns over accuracy, transparency, and potential harm.
Researchers analyzed 119 articles from the Lit Covid database to understand how researchers use ethnoracial categories in biomedical studies. The study found that many articles used terms 'race' or 'ethnicity' without clear definitions, leading to confusion and misinterpretation of research findings.
Research by University of East Anglia reveals care home nurses were unprepared for the pandemic, impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The study suggests implementing a mental health and wellbeing strategy is crucial to promote recovery from trauma and moral distress.
A new guideline aims to standardize human genomic sequencing research in Canada by establishing essential core consent elements. This will enable researchers to collect patient data in a consistent manner, ensuring transparency for participants and streamlining the review process.
The Vilcek-Gold Award honors immigrant healthcare professionals in the US who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to humanistic and community-centered care. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize, commemorative trophy, and presentation at the Association of American Medical Colleges' annual meeting.
The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) named Dr. Sarah Kamel of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Ankur Goyal of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences as Melvin Figley and Lee Rogers Fellows in Radiology Journalism, respectively. They will receive expert instruction in scientific writing and communication through the...
The University of Minnesota has received a 5-year, $2.5 million NIH grant to fund the Minn-KPMP project, a recruitment site for the Kidney Precision Medicine Project. The project aims to understand and treat chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury using precision medicine.
A University of Exeter graduate has discovered a new, animal-free method to create human neuron-like cells for studying brain development. The breakthrough could lead to better treatments for brain disorders and improve human quality of life.
A team led by CWRU law and medicine faculty will examine the ethics of 'nudging' in biomedical research, using accepted public health practices to recruit participants. The study aims to understand how nudging techniques influence consent and decision-making in medical trials.
A new project will develop a technique to quantify uncertainty in AI-based tools used for image analysis and create a questionnaire to assess patients' risk tolerance when using these tools. The goal is to ensure that AI-assisted clinical decisions are informed by the inherent uncertainty of imaging technologies.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a blueprint for incorporating ethical guidelines into AI decision-making programs. The new mathematical formula, based on the Agent, Deed, and Consequence (ADC) Model, considers intent, character, and consequences of actions to make more informed decisions.
In a new study, Rutgers ethicists and Harvard doctor argue that giving some trial participants a placebo is not only acceptable but also demanded by ethics. They claim that this practice is necessary to test potential cures while minimizing risks.
Blastoids, derived from stem cells, mimic early embryonic development but may not develop into a fetus. Ethical considerations surround their use and regulation in research.
A public consultation is launched to develop best-practice standards for diverse and inclusive healthcare datasets used in Artificial Intelligence. The project aims to reduce biases that affect patients from minoritised racial/ethnic groups, ensuring they receive accurate predictions and treatments.
Researchers from NAIST found that searches related to vaccine side effects positively correlated with vaccination rates in Japan. The 'vaccine concern index' captured searches of terms indicating vaccine hesitancy, revealing lower concerns among older people and female users.
A study at the University of Helsinki found that people accept human nurses overruling patient autonomy but reject similar decisions made by robots. The researchers suggest that human empathy is required to consider robot-made solutions equally acceptable as those made by humans. The findings imply that machines cannot comprehensively ...
Researchers reviewed mobile sensing designs, outcomes, and limitations to better understand its capacity for remote detection, longitudinal tracking, and exposure tracing. Despite technical and societal challenges, advances in data analytics and machine learning may improve data quality and scalability.
The current Medicaid sterilization waiting period for females is clinically unjustifiable, according to the authors, who argue for its revision. The US healthcare industry contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with a data-driven action plan proposed for carbon reduction.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing reveals how clinical ethicists provided consultation and guidance during the pandemic. The study's findings shed light on the experiences of clinical ethicists during this time and their impact on hospital operations.
A recent study found that nearly 72% of primary care, dental, and behavioral health clinicians in US safety net clinics reported experiencing moral distress during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The distress was mainly caused by limitations on patient care, witnessing patients' struggles, and challenges in their work situations.
The US FDA is reassessing its need for animal tests in product development, exploring alternative methods that could improve efficacy and safety predictions. New technologies like microphysiological systems may replace traditional animal studies, enabling faster product approval.
A new study suggests that members of the public want to know if their health information or samples from their bodies will be used in research or to help develop new biomedical products. The study found that patients are more likely to want notification about research use of their health information than biospecimens.
A survey of UK doctors found that the pandemic has led to an increase in willingness to forgo life-saving treatments for very sick patients, while views on euthanasia and assisted dying have remained unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed end-of-life care, prompting a reevaluation of clinicians' decision-making processes.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a position paper on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine in internal medicine. The guidelines address key issues such as incidental findings, education for physicians and patients, and counseling needs. ACP emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and anticoag...
A new study found that 82% of teens and young adults are open to COVID-19 vaccine incentives, but 21% question their ethics. Most youth believe incentives will promote vaccination and serve the greater good, while some express concerns about bribery or eroding trust in vaccines.
Researchers emphasize the need for targeted recruitment to make genetic tests clinically useful for non-European groups. By addressing cultural concerns and underrepresentation, efforts can reduce the incidence of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in genetic databases.
A new Cornell-led study reveals that more than 99% of veterinarians have encountered useless or non-beneficial veterinary care, leading to moral distress and difficulties in advocating for euthanasia. The study found that 89% of veterinarians administer futile care, with 42% experiencing frequent instances.
Leading ethicists argue that mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare staff is ethically justified due to the risks of nosocomial infections and staff shortages. In contrast, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate is considered unethical due to the low risk of serious illness among younger staff and concerns over coercion.
A new study in Nepal reveals that the desire for a son can lead to shorter breastfeeding durations for girls, resulting in a greater risk of infant mortality. The research found that girls with only older sisters had the shortest breastfeeding duration.
The University of Birmingham has published new ethical guidelines for the collection of patient-reported outcomes in clinical research. The guidelines aim to reduce risk and burden for participants while increasing participation in research and protecting their welfare.
Two studies found that approximately one in eight doctors experienced high levels of moral distress, which increased the risk of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Healthcare organizations can reduce moral distress by providing opportunities for discussing ethical concerns and supporting staff well-being.
A bioethicist contends that crisis-care protocols should ignore patients' age, proposing instead a patient-specific values approach. She suggests using a Clinical Frailty Scale to predict near-term survival and considers a lottery as the fairest way to prioritize individuals under dire conditions.
A new Hastings Center special report calls on bioethics to take a lead in addressing racial injustice and health inequities in the US. The report highlights structural racism and anti-Black racism in healthcare settings and proposes transformations in bioethics scholarship, education, and research.
Researchers argue that restrictive policies are outdated and unfair, suggesting new legislation to facilitate direct contact between donor families and organ recipients. The team cites examples of provinces like British Columbia and Nova Scotia, which have mechanisms in place for mediating direct contact.
A simulated crisis-care event revealed the moral distress experienced by triage team members who had to prioritize patients for scarce resources. The study aimed to operationalize a process for making life-and-death patient decisions, but triage-team members struggled with balancing individual patient needs with fair resource allocation.
A new study reveals funding for fertility preservation policies varies across the UK, with Scotland offering the most inclusive approach. The study highlights the need for standardization of policies to ensure equal access to care for patients.
Research found that UK medical students are missing out on comprehensive abortion care education, with varying curricula and barriers to teaching cited by educators. Most medical schools provide compulsory education on ethical and legal aspects of abortion care, but clinical aspects are often inadequate, leading to concerns about futur...
The NCCN Annual Conference focuses on the cancer patient journey, featuring state-of-the-art practice algorithms, updates to clinical guidelines, and new therapies. Leading experts present treatment recommendations for various cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancer.
A recent study by Edith Cowan University highlights the lack of information available to women with a breech presenting baby. Women often feel pressured into having a caesarean section without being fully informed of all options, including vaginal birth and alternative techniques such as moxibustion.
As polygenic embryo testing becomes more accessible, experts raise concerns about profound ethical implications and unclear benefits. The use of polygenic risk scores during in vitro fertilization raises questions about social outcomes like educational attainment and justice issues.
A recent survey of over 3,200 NHS healthcare workers found that most preferred education and support as a solution to boost vaccination uptake. The study suggests that mandatory vaccinations may actually worsen trust and lead to thousands of staff leaving the profession.
The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has published a special issue of The Anatomical Record examining its complex history and addressing structural racism and questionable ethics. The issue proposes recommendations for creating an inclusive future for the field.
A retrospective analysis found that socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults are at a higher risk of decline in function and cognition after an intensive care unit hospitalization. The study highlights the need to prioritize low-income seniors in rehabilitation and recovery efforts after critical illness.
A team led by City University of Hong Kong researcher Dr Zhang Qingpeng found that donating 46% to 80% of COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries can significantly reduce infection rates and mortality. The study suggests prioritizing vaccines for countries with high incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates.
The Hastings Center Report examines four key considerations for assessing risk-trade-offs in the pandemic, including education, economies, healthcare, travel, social engagement, and medical countermeasures. The report also challenges traditional notions of advance directives in end-of-life care, proposing a new principle of patient aut...