Medical Ethics Advisor
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When Surrogate Decision-Makers Misunderstand Patients’ Condition
In the view of clinicians, surrogates of patients with higher acuity of illness could better understand the clinical situation. However, those surrogates might be less likely to correctly identify all the affected organ systems. Surrogates who seem to strongly grasp the situation may not actually feel as secure in their understanding.
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Conflicts of Interest Are Prevalent in Clinical Guidelines
Even the appearance of bias in clinical practice guidelines is problematic, since it could diminish public trust in medicine. Ensuring there are functioning systems in place to keep practice guidelines objective and free of this influence must be a priority.
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Early, Integrated Education May Prevent ‘Ethical Erosion’
Modalities such as ethics rounds or shadowing could help make these considerations a part of everyday practice.
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Many Ethics Committees Are Not Following AAP Guidance
In a survey of ethics consultant leaders at children’s hospitals, researchers found multiple practice gaps, including training needs; informing staff, patients, and family about ethics services; and scope of ethics service. These practice gaps could erode ethics quality and narrow ethics reach.
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New Ethical Guidance on Pediatric Decision-Making
According to the recommendations, ethical decision-making can factor in parents’ consideration of the child’s non-health interests (e.g., a child’s interest in playing football, even if it risks concussions), and also may consider the interests of other family members, provided those do not severely compromise the child’s health.
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The Trouble with ‘Grateful Patient’ Fundraising
Although philanthropic donations are important, physicians pushing patients and families to chip in is ethically problematic.
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Surgeons May Need Additional Ethical Guidance
There is an evolving recognition of surgical ethics as a distinct branch of medical ethics — and an integral part of surgical practice itself.
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How Ethicists Can Make Business Case for Resources
Ethics consultation services may boost patient satisfaction, improve employee morale, lower the risk of litigation, or enhance productivity. However, proving it is challenging.
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Compensation, Employment Models Vary Widely in Clinical Ethics Field
The disparities stem in part from a lack of evidence establishing the fact that trained ethicists experience better outcomes compared to their untrained counterparts. Researchers could determine if the notes of trained ethicists reference best practices and national consensus standards more often than the notes of untrained ethicists. Gathering tangible data allows ethicists to make reasonable, evidence-based arguments.
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Survey: Patient and Family Ethical Worries May Go Undetected
Some respondents indicated a provider did not listen, did not communicate clearly, did not provide helpful information, lacked empathy, was dismissive, or was not knowledgeable or experienced. For at least some of those cases, an ethics consult probably would have been a good idea.