Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
A survey of 2,109 medical students found they have a sophisticated understanding of social media's risks and benefits, but struggle with navigating professional ethics. Medical schools are advised to provide guidance on using social media in a professional context.
A new report by IRCM ethics experts highlights the need for increased regulation and oversight of neurostimulation techniques like tDCS. The report found a mismatch between academic and print media articles on tDCS, with most media coverage focusing on potential enhancement uses rather than therapeutic limitations.
The Liverpool Care Pathway's correct use improves end of life care, despite widespread complaints. The pathway recommends morphine to relieve pain and involve relatives in decision-making, contrary to media reports.
A new study examines how community values influence healthcare disaster planning, finding that citizens' life experiences shape their perspectives on resource allocation. The research uses deliberative democratic methods to gather diverse feedback from Maryland residents, with plans for a state-wide expansion.
Health experts provide principles and decision-making guidelines to aid NASA in protecting astronauts on longer, higher-risk missions. The report emphasizes the importance of protecting astronaut health while fulfilling the agency's mission of exploration.
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine has developed ethics principles and responsibilities to guide NASA in implementing health standards for spaceflights beyond low Earth orbit. The guidelines aim to mitigate risks faced by astronauts on extended stays on the International Space Station and Mars missions.
A study by IRCM neuroethics experts highlights shortcomings in transitional care, particularly among youth with complex health needs and disabilities. The research emphasizes the importance of respectful care, autonomy support, and personalized approaches to address transition challenges.
Decisions on homebirth vs hospital birth should consider long-term disability risk to child, leading ethicists say. Homebirth risks include increased chances of death, disability, and neonatal intensive care admission compared to hospital births.
Recent developments combining machines and organisms have great potential but also raise major ethical concerns. Cyborgs, technically modified organisms with extraordinary skills, are already reality in medical implants.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that patients overwhelmingly support stem cell research with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), despite ethical concerns. Patients prioritize full disclosure of anticipated uses and informed consent to alleviate concerns about privacy and commercialization.
A significant minority (21%) of the Dutch public supports assisted dying for elderly individuals who are not seriously ill but feel tired of living. Those with higher education and less trust in doctors tend to be more supportive of this option.
A study found that educating the public about medical information access and bio tissue research improves attitudes, with participants supporting safeguards and anonymity. The study's results suggest that once the general public understands the risks and options, they are more willing to contribute to research.
The emergence of fertility loans has raised ethical concerns as doctors market them to patients with potential financial ties to lenders. Experts argue that this practice may exacerbate the anguish of infertility by promoting unsuccessful interventions.
The article discusses the evolution of ethical debates surrounding face transplantation, with early concerns fading as experience shows benefits in helping patients return to normal life. The procedure is expected to become more common, raising new questions about patient selection, costs, and allocation of donor tissues.
The American Thyroid Association has developed new ethics guidelines specific to the field of thyroidology, addressing ethical dilemmas and questions that arise in patient care. The guidelines provide clear guidance on disclosure of conflicts of interest and professional integrity, offering timely recommendations for endocrine practice.
The American Journal of Public Health special issue examines the complexities of including minority populations in research, discussing topics such as recruitment, community engagement, and training. Guest editors aim to shift the approach towards a more inclusive and protective research enterprise.
The article proposes guidelines for physicians to disclose mistakes made by colleagues, reframing the concept of 'collegiality' as an opportunity to discuss quality problems. Barriers to these conversations include shame, stigma, and malpractice insurers, but institutions can foster a culture of transparency and trust.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center researchers found that nurses in a burn intensive care unit experience moral distress, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and job burnout. An educational intervention reduced moral distress scores, but not significantly enough to last six weeks after the program.
A survey of rheumatologists reveals that many face moral dilemmas when trying to provide the best care for their patients. The study found that physicians often compromise on ethical principles to obtain necessary treatments or medications for their patients.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics has launched a new two-year postdoctoral fellowship program in bioethics, funded by the Hecht-Levi Foundation. The program aims to support at least 10 promising young scholars in their research and career development.
The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH) has proposed a method for assessing the knowledge, skills, and practice of clinical ethicists. A two-step process evaluates candidates based on their portfolio and oral examination.
COHRED and Pfizer support MARC Phase II, an interventional approach to address ethical review bottlenecks in the African research landscape. The project aims to connect networks, foster innovation, and drive high standards for clinical trials globally.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics has been selected to establish a Center of Excellence to study the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research in infectious disease. The center will explore public health genomics in two case studies: pandemic influenza and Hepatitis C.
A new framework provides guidance for clinicians to manage moral distress, which can interfere with patient care and clinician well-being. The framework aims to create a healthy work environment supporting clinicians to practice with integrity and reduce the toll on caregivers and patients.
Researchers at UNC will sequence the genome of 400 infants to determine useful clinical data from genomic tests. The study aims to build a model for informed choices about newborn testing, including educational tools and parental consent protocols.
Researchers analyzed over 350,000 patients in 860 phase III trials and found that new treatments outperform existing ones around half the time. The study suggests the randomized controlled trial system is working as intended despite needing tweaks for better design and reporting.
A study found that surrogate decision-makers consider both the patient's interests and their own needs when making medical decisions, highlighting the complexity of this process. The researchers suggest greater advance care planning to address this issue.
A study found that only half of the identified ethical issues in dementia care were addressed in national clinical practice guidelines. Four critical issues, including advance directives and coercive medication, were consistently overlooked. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing these issues to improve patient care and pro...
Experts say India's new policy protecting research participants could have serious consequences for public health and the country's role in global clinical research. The policy's compensation provision for injury from failed investigations could discourage trial participation, leading to a shortage of registered drugs.
Experts warn that widespread use of Truvada for HIV prevention may lead to unintended consequences, including increased transmission of other STIs. Daily dosing, safer sex counseling, and regular testing are crucial for successful PrEP implementation.
A new study reveals that US physicians believe they have a responsibility to address healthcare costs, but their primary concern is always the well-being of their patients. Most (85%) agree that containing costs is their responsibility, while nearly 80% prioritize patients' best interests over cost concerns.
A study by NYU Langone researchers found that states with simpler vaccination exemption processes have higher non-medical exemption rates, contributing to outbreaks of childhood infections. States with looser requirements are more likely to see parents opt-out of vaccinating their children, putting others at risk.
The American Thoracic Society has released a statement on adult and pediatric controlled organ donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD), aiming to guide stakeholders involved in the process. The statement emphasizes respect for dying patients and their families, while promoting the recovery of viable organs.
Sexual minority youth are at greater risk of suicide than their heterosexual peers. Psychologists must be well-prepared to treat these youth with specialized training and knowledge. The necessary background includes familiarity with human sexuality, ethical issues, and clinical skills for managing suicide risk.
Doctors' treatment recommendations depend on medical aspects, individual patient relationships, and their own life situations. Cancer patients' desires for participation change over the course of the disease, with initial trust in doctors crucial, but later seeking more information and involvement in decision-making.
Experts urge for clear and unequivocal criteria to diagnose death, citing variability in brain death diagnosis and lack of global consensus. A proposed operational definition states death occurs when there is permanent loss of capacity for consciousness and loss of all brainstem functions.
A group of experts developed a framework for reporting incidental findings in clinical exome and genome sequencing, following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations. The framework justifies reporting clinically beneficial incidental findings as ethically compatible with respect for patient autonomy.
The Hastings Center has released a new set of guidelines for good care near the end of life, aiming to improve communication, pain management, and treatment decisions. The guidelines clarify what is ethically permissible in the US regarding life-sustaining technologies and provide practical guidance for healthcare professionals.
A Dutch medical protocol used to curb suffering in sick newborns reveals that euthanasia is not an abuse but a humane option for parents. The Groningen Protocol, introduced in 2005, stipulates strict criteria for euthanasia, and its review found that only two cases of infant euthanasia were reported between 2010.
A survey of over 600 board directors found that women are more likely to consider the rights of others and take a cooperative approach to decision-making. This results in better performance for their companies, with women-led boards experiencing higher returns on equity and lower rates of bankruptcy.
A UK survey found that 97% of doctors have prescribed placebo treatments to patients at least once, with impure placebos being used more frequently. Doctors cited treating psychological effects and reassuring patients as reasons for prescribing placebos, while also acknowledging the need for patient trust.
Researchers Effy Vayena and John Tasioulas propose a framework for adapting standards of ethical oversight to participant-led health research, balancing autonomy with benefits. The proposed categories identify varying levels of risk to participants, aiming to prevent over-regulation and protect individual liberty.
Bioethicists argue that traditional informed consent models do not translate well to online health research, requiring a more collaborative approach to build trust with individuals whose information is collected. Transparent disclosure of research uses is also crucial.
A team of University of Michigan doctors analyze the shortcomings of the Affordable Care Act and Reagan-era emergency access law, emphasizing the need for preventive care and coordinated care. The authors conclude that modern healthcare reform must address these gaps to bring the nation closer to a goal of comprehensive care for all.
The Hastings Center has released a special report on the evolving landscape of animal research ethics, citing examples of changes improving animal welfare and replacing animal testing. Alternative models, such as human cell-based toxicity testing, are gaining traction.
Decision aids are being reevaluated to determine when it's acceptable to provide a
Pharmacists warn that morning after pill conscience clauses can lead to unwanted pregnancies and undermine the principle of universal healthcare in the NHS. The current 'fudge' approach, allowing pharmacists to opt out on moral or religious grounds, is not morally defensible or legally feasible.
Donors to biobanks have a moral stake in what happens to their tissue samples, requiring ongoing updates and protection of their rights. Tomlinson recommends biobanks provide donors with plain language summaries of research projects and inform them about potentially controversial uses.
A new ethical framework is needed to balance patient protection with data collection for learning health care systems, say experts. The proposed framework outlines seven obligations to ensure patients' rights and dignity while fostering clinical learning.
A group of experts, led by Johns Hopkins bioethicists, rejects the traditional ethical paradigm guiding American healthcare and calls for a new framework that integrates clinical research and practice. The proposed 'learning healthcare system' prioritizes patients' needs, respects clinicians' judgment, and promotes continuous learning ...
The Southern Medical Journal's special issue explores physician preparedness, healthcare system readiness, and patient care in disasters. Experts share lessons learned from real-life experiences and provide guidance on improving preparedness.
A Canadian medical journal report argues that physicians should consider refusing to prescribe cognitive enhancers to healthy people. The authors suggest that the risks and regulations of prescription drugs outweigh the potential benefits of enhanced mental performance, which are uncertain and may not be achieved with these substances.
A new study by Scott Wright and Joseph A. Carrese examines ethical dilemmas for physicians when patients make financial donations to medical institutions. The researchers found that doctors are concerned about the potential impact on their relationships with patients and the purity of the doctor-patient bond.
A multidisciplinary group of scholars at Johns Hopkins University aims to develop guidelines for fair access to good food, addressing disparities in global nutrition. The project seeks moral common ground among experts and stakeholders from various fields.
The new consensus statement from the Hinxton Group highlights the tension between intellectual property policies and scientific norms in East Asia. Japan and China are underrepresented in patents and licensing, but have strengths in national health care systems that could benefit stem cell-based therapies.
Resolving conflicts over end-of-life care is crucial for patients and their loved ones. Mayo Clinic experts recommend choosing objective surrogates to represent patients and involving third parties when necessary.
The Ottawa Statement on the Ethical Design and Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials provides detailed guidance on CRTs, addressing issues such as informed consent, risk-benefit assessments, and data management. Researchers can benefit from this new framework to improve the ethical quality of their cluster randomized trials.
Researchers at Boston University developed a novel technique to produce human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral blood, offering an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cells. The method has been published in JoVE and provides a valuable resource for studying rare genetic disorders.
State physician health programs help doctors with substance abuse problems, but their system is inconsistent and prone to potential conflicts of interest. The authors recommend increased oversight and national standards to address these concerns.
A University of Michigan faculty member argues that doctors can be conscientious providers of abortion care, motivated by deeply-held ethical beliefs. The author calls for recognition of 'conscientious provision' of care and a standard curriculum for handling conscience-based refusals.