Browse Medical Ethics Articles by Topic

Preparation, Communication Key to Establishing IRB of Record

The first time the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center IRB served as an IRB of record was 15 years ago — a decade before the concept began to catch on with multisite clinical trials and large IRBs.

Smart Checklists Keep IRB on Track With Study Reviews

As an IRB office prepared for accreditation, staff looked for methods to increase compliance. An answer quickly formed: use the IRB’s electronic system to develop smart checklists.

Try These Strategies for Improving Review Consistency

One IRB office created simple rules and a process to improve workflow efficiency. Using Toyota lean methodology, the office standardized interpretation of regulations and institutional policies.

Code of Ethics for IRBs Working With Indigenous Tribes

IRBs and researchers must recognize that “the truth comes from many places” if they want to work in good faith with Native American tribes.

Respect Tribal Sovereignty in Indigenous Research

In what may help overcome a history of well-earned distrust by indigenous people, a research collaborative has developed a curriculum to teach IRB members and others the distinct cultural issues that arise in studying Native Americans.

Study: Clergy May View End-of-Life Decision-making Differently From Clinical Team

Most U.S. clergy reject the legalization of physician-aided dying, found a recent study.

Is Surrogate Acting in Own Self-Interest, the Patient’s, or Both?

Possible conflicts of interest should be on a clinical team’s radar if surrogates make decisions that appear to conflict with patients’ known preferences. However, there are many more likely explanations.

Ethics of Unilateral ‘Do Not Attempt Resuscitation’ Orders in Pediatric Care

A unilateral “do not attempt resuscitation” order only is appropriate in very limited circumstances in pediatric care, according to a recent paper.

Medical Students Engaged by Advance Care Planning Training, but Few Act

An educational session successfully engaged medical students in learning about advance care planning conversations, both professionally and personally, found a recent study.

Early DNR Status Adversely Affects Hospitals’ Quality Metrics

Higher mortality due to DNR rates results in classification of some hospitals as performance outliers, researchers found.