Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
A NSF-funded project, MABLE, is developing a digital app using crowdsensing, AI, and robotics to empower individuals with responsive maps and turn-by-turn instructions. The app aims to improve accessibility and navigation for persons with visual or mobility impairments, such as those with low vision and wheelchair users.
A new framework for using AI in healthcare considers medical knowledge, practices, and procedures to improve patient care. The proposed framework provides practical guidance for designers, funders, and users on how to integrate AI systems with the greatest potential to help patients.
A new report from The Lancet Commission highlights the importance of understanding medicine's role under Nazism to strengthen medical education and ethics. The study aims to empower health professionals to face moral and ethical dilemmas, stand up to power, and protect vulnerable populations.
This study examines ethical issues in human brain organoid transplantation into animals, considering cell collection, generation, transplantation, pre-integration, integration, and post-integration stages. Researchers highlight the importance of collaboration to address associated issues and potential impact on society.
A virtual, home-based exercise program using cognitively enriched tai ji quan improved global cognition and reduced walking interference associated with dual tasking in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The intervention also showed favorable improvements in cognition, function, executive function, and working memory.
Researchers have identified 38 businesses marketing unapproved stem cell treatments and exosome therapies for preventing and treating COVID-19. Many clinics claim to treat Long COVID, with some charging up to $25,000 for 'treatments'. Regulatory bodies must act to protect patients from misleading claims.
A global team of scientists emphasizes the need for collaboration between experts in AI, medicine, ethics, and beyond to develop fair models. They argue that focusing on equity rather than complete equality is a more reasonable approach, considering factors like race, gender, and patient preferences.
AI medical devices can improve diagnosis and treatment, but their accuracy and limitations must be carefully considered. Developers must ensure transparency about AI's performance and limitations to avoid harming patients and exacerbating health inequities.
The special issue explores achievements and challenges in reproductive endocrinology and infertility medicine, presenting strategies to bridge the gap between societal obligations and practice. Access to care remains a challenge for varying populations within societies and underserved regions.
A global team outlines potential ethical concerns and proposes guiding principles for safe and inclusive commercial space research. The paper emphasizes the need for adapting existing practices to minimize health risks and ensure social responsibility.
A new framework aims to ensure Indigenous communities reap benefits from their microbiome samples, promoting equitable and beneficial research. Researchers highlight the need for community ownership of microbiomes, collaboration, and respect for Indigenous sovereignty.
A study of over 1 million Swedish men found that high blood pressure at age 18 was associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart failure, heart attacks, and strokes. Early intervention for hypertension may be critical to reducing later cardiovascular events.
The American Heart Association introduces principles for data sharing to advance patient outcomes, highlighting transparency and privacy concerns. The new policy statement aims to protect patients' sensitive information while facilitating valuable research discoveries.
Experts discuss the moral implications of telemedicine on the patient-physician relationship. Telemedicine can improve care for certain patients but may also raise questions about the nature of this encounter and the importance of touch in medical interactions. The Hastings Center Report explores the complex ethical issues surrounding ...
A group of leading scholars in pediatric ethics have published six recommendations for guiding parents and clinicians in medical decision-making for children. The recommendations aim to provide a unified set of principles that will be more accessible and applicable for clinicians, parents, and legal guardians.
A Cochrane review reveals that organizational interventions can reduce the use of physical restraints in care home residents by 14%, without increasing falls or fall-related injuries. Supportive managers play a crucial role in implementing these interventions, which improve knowledge, skills, and strategies among frontline staff.
Researchers examine whether robots and AI can replicate the ethical concepts attributed to human nurses, including advocacy, accountability, cooperation, and caring. While AI can inform patients about medical errors and present treatment options, it questions its ability to truly understand and empathize with patients' values.
Researchers demonstrate that AI language models like ChatGPT can generate high-quality fraudulent medical articles with standard sections and references. The study highlights the need for increased vigilance and enhanced detection methods to combat potential misuse of AI in scientific research.
A recent study found that GPT-3 can generate accurate information, but also produces highly persuasive disinformation. Participants struggled to distinguish between tweets created by the AI model and those written by real users.
A study by Osaka University researchers reveals that various stakeholders, including experts, the general public, and patients, can participate in genome editing governance. This collaboration enables more effective policy-making, with citizens engaging in new initiatives such as interactive events.
The revised ruling on advance medical directives in India may force terminally ill patients to endure 'machine-related suffering' without autonomy or dignity. The authors highlight shortcomings, including a cumbersome procedure for withdrawing life support and omission of consideration for healthcare access inequality.
The use of psychedelics in mental health treatment is gaining traction, but concerns about patient safety and regulation need to be addressed. Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise in treating conditions like depression and PTSD, but more research is needed on dosages, settings, and guidelines.
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.