Browse Medical Ethics Articles by Topic

Ethics of Exception From Informed Consent in Emergency Research

Researchers do not always justify use of exception from informed consent, found a recent study.

Online Comments Allow Greater Input on Ethics Consults

A close inspection of the medical record revealed conflicting information regarding a particular patient’s code status at University of Michigan Health System. The issue was identified and addressed due to an online comment system allowing for broad committee participation in ethics consultations.

‘Uh-oh, the Ethics Police Are Here!’: Address Misconceptions Head-on

Clinicians sometimes wrongly assume the ethics role is to reprimand, criticize, or convince.

Ethics Involvement Needed With Complex Discharges

Multiple ethical issues arise during discharge planning, including consent, capacity, and autonomy.

Potential Adverse Outcomes of Gene Therapy

Gene therapy may warrant long-term follow-up of research subjects due to the risk of delayed adverse events.

FDA Gene Therapy Draft Calls for Long-term Follow of Subjects

The FDA recently issued multiple draft guideline documents on the fast-emerging field of gene therapy, including guidance on specific diseases like hemophilia and the need to follow some research subjects long-term to assess delayed adverse events.

Does Use of Biospecimens From Children Require Reconsent When They Are Adults?

There is considerable ethical debate about the issue of reconsent at age 18 from research subjects who provided biospecimens as infants, children, or adolescents. Practices currently vary widely among institutions.

Shared Decision-making Is ‘Moral Imperative’ Despite Challenges in ED

Shared decision-making is an important concept for patient autonomy, but how does it play out in the unique ED setting?

Study: Less Money Spent on End-of-Life Care for Rural Medicare Patients

Medicare expenditures are lower for rural beneficiaries with cancer than urban beneficiaries, found a recent study.

Nurses Report Barriers to Involving Family Caregivers

Patient care demands, the professional practice environment, and lack of resources hindered nursing family caregiver involvement, found a recent survey of 374 critical care nurses.