Browse Medical Ethics Articles by Topic

Patients Can Request Ethics Consults, But Almost None Do

In a recently published paper, the authors reported if patients are empowered to ask for ethics consults, it can mean more patient-centered care, better shared decision-making, and a stronger patient/physician relationship.

Excluding People with Serious Mental Illness from Research Is Ethical Problem

With current treatment methods, many individuals with serious mental illness function well, maintain employment, hold valued roles in their communities, and can consent to and participate in research.

AAN Offers Ethical Guidance on Alzheimer’s Drug

Neurology experts issue caution on costs, side effects regarding the approved-but-controversial Aduhelm.

NIH Awards Grant for Psychedelic-Related Investigation

First federal investment in decades indicates evolving attitudes on this area of research.

IRBs Often Reluctant to Approve Inclusion of Pregnant Participants in Research

Some IRB members cite uncertainty on whether inclusion of pregnant participants could affect the study’s scientific validity. Others acknowledge they rely on the common, default practice of excluding pregnant individuals without requiring justification. Guidance is needed for characterizing the risk level of research procedures in the context of pregnancy.

Novel Ethics Curriculum for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

At three academic institutions, faculty members recently piloted 13 ethics modules for neonatology fellows. Of the 44 neonatology fellows who participated, baseline ethics knowledge and confidence in addressing ethical dilemmas improved significantly.

Positive STI Test Results Not Always Shared with Study Participants

Investigators should develop a plan to return test results to participants, and document their actions in protocols and manuscripts. IRBs should require researchers to include these details in their proposals.

Data Show Larger-Than-Expected Market for Ethics Consultation Training

Based on the survey responses collected from participants at hundreds of U.S. hospitals, researchers estimated approximately 62,000 individuals would benefit from basic-level training on how to perform ethics consultation, and 37,000 would benefit from advanced-level training.

Many Ethics Consults Involve ‘Unbefriended’ Patients

Most unrepresented patients are living with marginal housing and psychiatric comorbidity in addition to cognitive decline and medical illness. It is helpful to engage in dialogue among inpatient clinicians and outpatient providers, case managers, and social workers. Working together, these groups can facilitate a transition from inpatient care to the community and provide input on options for housing.

Medical Providers’ Views Vary on Refusals of Life-Sustaining Treatment

Ethicists can help determine how best to proceed with treatment decision-making in cases in which patients lack decisional capacity. They can explain why the tie between treatment decision-making and capacity is morally important and essential for sound ethical medical practice.