Articles tagged with Medical Ethics
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.
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 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.
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.
Case Western Reserve University honored David Suzuki, a renowned environmental activist and academic, as the fifth recipient of the Inamori Ethics Prize. The prize recognizes individuals who have made a profound impact through philanthropic service.
A commentary by former Institute of Medicine committee members highlights the need for increased postmarket oversight and an independent ethics advisory board to address ethical challenges in drug safety. The authors emphasize the responsibility of the FDA to research participants and the importance of clear informed consent processes.
A study found that deeply held religious beliefs are leading to futile care for sick children, causing needless suffering. Doctors argue that parental hopes of a 'miraculous intervention' should not override the child's best interests.
The widespread adoption of prenatal whole genome sequencing could lead to increased anxiety in parents, altering societal views on normalcy and potentially influencing reproductive decisions. Additionally, the technology may impact child-rearing practices and the interests of children themselves.
New tools confirm high rates of misdiagnosis in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness. Clinicians face complex decisions regarding treatment and palliative care, requiring ethical sensitivity and awareness of evidence-based practices.
The European Chemical Agency is accused of maladministration by failing to investigate cases where animal testing could be avoided under REACH. PETA claims that ECHA is not taking adequate action to ensure compliance with the regulation's last-resort requirement, resulting in unnecessary animal testing.
Experts warn that revealing biomarker results to asymptomatic individuals can cause anxiety and depression, while safeguards are needed to prevent marginalization or mistreatment. The prevention trial aims to better understand how older adults make sense of risk information and its impact on health and well-being.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics has received a $653,344 PCORI pilot project award to study stakeholder views on streamlined informed consent options. The project aims to identify ethically acceptable strategies for patient-centered outcomes research, capturing the views of diverse stakeholders.
A new Quebec report suggests medically assisted death should be considered an end-of-life care option for patients, rather than a criminal act. The proposal aims to protect healthcare workers and patients from potential abuses if adopted.
The Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program has been awarded a five-year continuation grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue training researchers and enhancing research ethics capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The program has already trained numerous alumni who have become recognized international experts in bioethics.
Physician-owned specialty hospitals are driven by commercial interests rather than patient care, argues Indiana University professor Joshua Perry. Despite providing jobs and revenue, these hospitals treat a lower percentage of severely ill patients and have higher costs and utilization rates compared to general hospitals.
The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study faced significant ethical challenges as it investigated the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. The trial's findings provide valuable insights into managing ethical difficulties in research, while also shedding light on the importance of balancing sci...
A new ethics framework is recommended to manage conflicts of interest in the development of medical guidelines, ensuring expert input without industry influence. The study found that such a framework can help identify and address ethics issues, but further analysis and initiatives are needed.
International expert Jerome Singh argues that climate change deliberations must consider the human health implications of climate change, highlighting the need for ethically sound principles to guide policy-making. The author proposes a multi-disciplinary synergized framework incorporating bioethics, public health ethics, and global he...
A recent article in the Hastings Center Report raises questions about the AMA's policy on prescribing placebos, arguing that it may not be the best way to protect or benefit patients. The article suggests that some bioethicists argue that an undisclosed placebo is sometimes the best available treatment for certain patients.
Researchers found that dual-occupation professionals change their moral judgments based on their expected role, often without realizing it. The study suggests that subtle cues and training can help employees make more informed ethical decisions.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing offers potential benefits but raises concerns about accuracy, interpretation, and sharing of results. Participants were willing to pay $10-$20 for the tests, but were hesitant due to costs ranging from $100 to $1,500.
Community-engaged research raises numerous ethical issues, including conflicts between academic and community partners, risks to groups not directly participating in the research, and distress among community partners. The authors propose several best practices and a detailed research agenda to address these concerns.
The IOM report recommends the FDA implement a single, comprehensive Benefit and Risk Assessment and Management Plan (BRAMP) to track drugs' side effects. Postmarket studies will be conducted when necessary to inform regulatory decisions, with an emphasis on protecting research participants.
A team of Johns Hopkins bioethicists argues that federal restrictions on low-risk clinical comparative effectiveness research should be streamlined, despite the proposed changes only covering social and behavior research. The authors believe this type of research poses little risk to patients and needs more efficient oversight.
Researchers argue that incentives can encourage participants to engage in healthy behaviors when properly designed and evidence-based. The authors propose that Research Ethics Committees require an evidence-based rationale for predicting incentive effectiveness.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine argues that the use of cash incentives to promote healthy behaviors may not be as problematic as previously thought. The authors suggest that when incentives are used to encourage people to engage in activities they are already familiar with and likely to benefit from, ethical concerns may be m...