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Clinical Ethicists ‘Doubling Down’ on Efforts as Hospitals Adjust to New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic made ethics committees players of central importance. Experts highlight areas around which ethicists can shape the conversation.

Healthcare Workers’ Well-Being Is Ethical Concern During Pandemic

Half of 1,257 healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients in 34 hospitals in China reported depression, 45% reported anxiety, 34% reported insomnia, and 71.5% reported psychological distress, according to a recent study. These findings point to significant ethical concerns regarding clinicians’ well-being.

Researchers Identify Ethical Concerns with Pragmatic Trials

Pragmatic trials raise some new ethical issues that need greater attention, according to the authors of a recent study.

Unique Ethical Concerns for Study Participants in Neuroscience Research

Innovative neuroscience research is vital, but individuals with mental illness pose some unique ethical concerns in terms of their participation. The results of a recent study provided some reassurance on the decision-making processes of individuals.

Shortcuts in Clinical Trials May Cause More Harm Than Good

Dozens of potential treatments for COVID-19 are under investigation: existing antiretrovirals, anti-malaria drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and Chinese traditional medicines among them. Additionally, companies are rapidly developing new drugs. But poorly designed studies subject patients to the risks of adverse events without learning if the intervention works.

Ethics, Case Managers, and the Value Proposition

The pressures case managers face are a reality in a value-based healthcare system. Cost of care and penalties for readmissions are the bottom line in every institution, and that pressure will affect how well case managers perform in their everyday duties. To uphold their ethical tenets, and advocate in the best interests of their patients, a case manager must be prepared to handle these pressures.

Ethics Curriculum Feasible for OB/GYN Faculty

Much ethics education focuses on students and residents, but practicing physicians also need ethics expertise. An ethics and professional curriculum was piloted for faculty in obstetrics and gynecology.

Social Media Effective Tool to Recruit Youth for Research Studies

Researchers are turning to social media to recruit participants, with a recent study revealing that Instagram and Snapchat are effective ways to reach youth.

Chinese Gene Edit Researcher Receives Three-Year Sentence

A rogue scientist who shocked the research community by genetically editing human embryos has been sentenced to three years in prison in China, according to the state-run press.

IRB Teaches Research Teams How to Write Key Informed Consent Information

The revised Common Rule charged IRBs with writing concise and focused informed consent information. The challenge for IRBs is how to achieve this. The Colorado Multiple IRB at the University of Colorado has found a novel solution: The IRB trained staff on how to write key information consistently. They also added these tasks to the IRB staff’s workload without delaying IRB reviews, or having to use additional staff resources.