Medical Ethics
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Billing, Disparities Now Part of Hospital Surveys
The Leapfrog Group wants to see hospitals ensuring bias is not undermining the quality of care delivered to particular patients. From a billing standpoint, fear of costs prevents some from seeking needed care. -
Revised Ethics Recommendations on Cardiology Care Reflect 2021 Priorities
Leading cardiology groups lend new insights on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. -
Updated Guidance on Health Equity Movement
Three recent reports explain how the healthcare industry can improve diversity and inclusion. -
Clinical Trials with One Subject Raise Ethical Questions
It is unlikely IRBs will see many studies with one enrolled participant (the N=1 study design), but they should be prepared for this type of protocol. The single-subject study design can be applied to chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis or to ultra-rare diseases. -
The Issue of Using Race in Clinical Trials
One hot topic during a recent webinar on diversity in clinical trials centered around whether researchers should use race in a clinical trial. Using race as a variable is never neutral and never scientific, one expert noted. -
The Role of Structural Racism in Lack of Clinical Trial Diversity
Structural racism is a powerful construct that may influence participation in clinical research studies, panelists of a recent webinar noted. -
Diversity in Clinical Trials Should Start with the Fundamentals
Diversity in clinical trials involves more than just including more minority participants, panelists said at a recent webinar. It is a commitment from leadership that addresses the diversity topic within every aspect of the clinical trial process. -
Effective Remote Communication Improves End-of-Life Care
Even in the post-COVID-19 era, the remote communication techniques that were an invention of necessity during the pandemic likely will remain.
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Poor Agreement Between ED Patients and Physicians on Goals of Care
Ideally, goals of care discussions do not happen for the first time when the patient presents to the ED. When goals of care conversations are held earlier in a patient’s disease course, advance care planning is possible. This can alleviate the use of aggressive interventions in the event the patient decompensates or does not make a meaningful recovery.
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Evolving Efforts to Integrate Critical Care and Palliative Care
Palliative care should be integrated into serious illness care at any point following diagnosis. This can happen in conjunction with curative treatment, or as a standalone intervention focused on comfort at the end of life.