Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: (eBook)

Cases for Practice-Based Learning
eBook Download: PDF
2008 | 2008
XIV, 240 Seiten
Humana Press (Verlag)
978-1-60327-246-9 (ISBN)

Lese- und Medienproben

Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: - John E. Snyder, Candace C. Gauthier
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In the modern practice of medicine, new challenges complicate the ethical care of patients. Today's times require a contemporary take on the concept of medical ethics. The idea for this textbook was born out of a need for a teaching resource that merges medical ethics theory with the practical needs of modern clinical medicine. In Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: Cases for Practice-Based Learning, the authors address what has been missing in existing text books and ethics courses to date - clear-cut ethical and legal guidelines that provide a method for the reader to learn how to systematically manage dilemmas seen in the everyday practice of medicine. The reader is guided through several 'typical' patient scenarios and prompted by various questions that should be entertained by the treating health care provider. Then, relevant evidence-based medicine, legal precedent, and the ethical theory that applies to the situation are revealed. Often, finding the 'best' ethical solution for each problem is automatic, as the solution often becomes self-evident during information-gathering. This general method is reinforced throughout the text with multiple different cases, using a practice-based approach by building on the reader's developing skills. Additionally, we have sought to emphasize a culturally competent manner in resolving these dilemmas, respectfully addressing issues of age, gender, and culture whenever possible. The main goal of Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: Cases for Practice-Bases Learning is to assist the reader in adapting a patient-centered and evidence-based approach to dilemmas faced in their future practice of medicine.


In the modern practice of medicine, new challenges complicate the ethical care of patients. Today's times require a contemporary take on the concept of medical ethics. The idea for this textbook was born out of a need for a teaching resource that merges medical ethics theory with the practical needs of modern clinical medicine. In Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: Cases for Practice-Based Learning, the authors address what has been missing in existing text books and ethics courses to date - clear-cut ethical and legal guidelines that provide a method for the reader to learn how to systematically manage dilemmas seen in the everyday practice of medicine. The reader is guided through several "e;typical"e; patient scenarios and prompted by various questions that should be entertained by the treating health care provider. Then, relevant evidence-based medicine, legal precedent, and the ethical theory that applies to the situation are revealed. Often, finding the "e;best"e; ethical solution for each problem is automatic, as the solution often becomes self-evident during information-gathering. This general method is reinforced throughout the text with multiple different cases, using a practice-based approach by building on the reader's developing skills. Additionally, we have sought to emphasize a culturally competent manner in resolving these dilemmas, respectfully addressing issues of age, gender, and culture whenever possible. The main goal of Evidence-Based Medical Ethics: Cases for Practice-Bases Learning is to assist the reader in adapting a patient-centered and evidence-based approach to dilemmas faced in their future practice of medicine.


Case-Based Medical Ethics in Practice

Preface by the authors

Foreword

Chapter 1: A brief introduction to medical ethics in Internal Medicine


Definitions of ethics and medical ethics


Why is medical ethics important? (teaching competency in ethics, teaching professionalism)



Evolution of medical ethics and its importance/role in modern medicine (from paternalism to informed consent)


Who determines ethical guidelines for medicine?



Difference/similarities between ethics and law



Purpose of the book (i.e. to stimulate thought and discussion, not cover all details of all ethical principles)


Chapter 2: The underlying principles of ethical patient care


Beneficence - a practitioner should act in the best interest of the patient. (Salus aegroti suprema lex.)


Non-maleficence - "first, do no harm" (Primum non nocere).


Autonomy - the patient has the right to refuse or choose their treatment (Voluntas aegroti suprema lex.)


Justice - concerns the distribution of scarce health resources, and the decision of who gets what treatment.


Dignity - the patient (and the person treating the patient) have the right to dignity.


Veracity - the patient should not be lied to, and deserves to know the whole truth about his/her illness and treatment.

Chapter 3: Putting ethics into practice – realities, limitations, and roadblocks


Practitioners and personal belief systems


Cultural competency and practice of ethical care


Statement about pharmaceutical company influence on education and practice


Medical oaths – Are they valid for medicine today? Are they fulfilled by practitioners?


The Patient Bill of Rights


Federal, state, local, and institutional regulations – how they intertwine and affect each other

Chapter 4: Advanced Directives, Living Wills, and the Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA)

Chapter 5: Case-based ethical dilemmas



How the reader should approach these cases


Where to find more information if needed


 
Case 1



Topic: Consent in the mentally ill or otherwise unfit (and ‘in between’ situations: delirium, psychiatric decompensation)


Subtopic: When does forcing an incompetent patient to undergo treatment limit their right to dignity and the principle of ‘do-no-harm’?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 2



Topic: When the HCPOA neglects their responsibility, or has other personal interests/potential gains

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 3



Topic: When the patient/their family bullies practitioners into unnecessary diagnostics/therapeutics



"C.Y.A." medicine

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 4



Topic: When an estranged family member or spouse suddenly appears to make decisions

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 5



Topic: How to deal with an inpatient behaving badly (psych consults, behavioral contracts, room restriction etc.)



Outbursts


Substance abuse


Illegal activity (e.g. drug-dealing)


Known criminal warrants


Inappropriate actions or remarks


Admitted for ulterior motives (secondary psychologic gains, homelessness, etc.)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 6



Topic: When DSS consults are needed



Child abuse/neglect


Elder abuse/neglect


Spousal abuse

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 7



Topic: When a patient has ‘burned all bridges’ and no discharge planning is possible



No nursing home or rehab center will accept the patient


No home health services will accept the patient

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 8



Topic: Can a practitioner refuse to admit a patient? To see a patient in the office (e.g. administrative discharge)?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 9



Topic: When a patient makes ‘bad’ decisions (e.g. will accept some therapies and not others, such as some blood products but not others, some procedures but not others, DNI but not DNR, etc.)



Does a practitioner follow the patient’s wishes? Do they refuse to treat?


Subtopic: When a patient is guided by incomplete, or misinformation (e.g. from the internet)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

 
 
Case 10



Topic: When a patient’s same-sex partner has no legal rights and is excluded by a family

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 11



Topic: When a patient has a contagious disease (e.g. HIV) and their partner is not aware


Subtopic: When a partner/family does not have all the information needed to make decisions for a patient (e.g. when to disclose diagnoses such as HIV-positivity, substance abuse, suicidality)


Subtopic: When confidential information is inadvertently leaked to those who ‘don’t need to know’


Subtopic: What diseases are ‘reportable’?


Subtopic: Do patients avoid testing for confidentiality fears?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 12



Topic: When a family will not accept a terminal prognosis (i.e. futile ‘full codes’)



Should a family be present during the code?


Subtopic: When a patient themselves is unrealistic about prognosis


Subtopic: When is a patient ‘terminal’? (i.e. definition of brain death)


Subtopic: When is it appropriate to change the focus of care to comfort/hospice?



How do a practitioner’s personal beliefs affect this guidance?


The concept of dignity/therapeutic death v. Euthanasia

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 13



Topic: When there is no one to make decisions for a patient (e.g. John/Jane Doe in ICU, wards of the state)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 14



Topic: When a mistake has been made by a practitioner (what/how to/how much to disclose)



Mistake by primary practitioner; mistake by other/outside practitioner


Subtopic: Caring for a patient after a poor outcome or mistake (i.e. how is care affected)


Subtopic: When a patient makes a reference to a grievance or verbally disparages another practitioner

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 15



Topic: When what a patient needs cannot be obtained (e.g. financial/insurance limitations)



Tests/procedures (e.g. colonoscopy in an uninsured/pre-Medicare patient aged 50 to 64 years old)


Treatments


A different medical team ("I want a new doctor"), especially when no others will take your "difficult" patient

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 16



Topic: When next-of-kin (NOK) disagree with each other


Subtopic: Which of the NOK has ‘seniority’? Are legal definitions for NOK equivalent to ethically ‘best’ choices?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles
Case 17



Topic: When a toxicology screen is ordered without patient consent and comes back positive


Subtopic: When tests are ordered ‘in emergency situations’ without patient consent (e.g. HIV tests)


Subtopic: When a practitioner is potentially exposed to infectious agents (e.g. via a needlestick) and a patient is refusing further testing

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 18



Topic: When a patient ‘signs out against medical advice’



Practitioner obligations


How can competence be quickly assessed and assured?


What about a patient with contagious disease (e.g. TB)? Can they be allowed to leave?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 19



Topic: When a patient requests a clinical interaction be recorded

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 20



Topic: When a family member requests patient information not be shared with the patient, or with other persons

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 21



Topic: When a patient requests to not be seen by a (specific, or any) medical resident or student

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 22



Topic: When a patient requires or demands large amounts of time from a practitioner

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 23



Topic: How to prescribe medications to someone who has attempted suicide (e.g. with pills)


Subtopic: How to accurately assess and document safety in a depressed patient

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 24



Topic: When a colleague demonstrates suspicious behavior



Memory problems


Substance abuse


Outbursts


Inappropriate relationships with or behavior toward patients, coworkers, etc.


Dishonesty

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles
Case 25



Topic: When a language translator is not available (or only a family member/hospital employee is)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 26



Topic: When a patient is repeatedly readmitted to the hospital due to non-adherence (e.g. with therapy, diet, etc.)



Where does a patient’s responsibility for their own care and well-being begin?


The ‘cry wolf’ syndrome


Should a procedure be repeated if a patient’s behavior may have caused failure of the first one?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 27



Topic: When lawyers or law enforcement want to know patient information (HIPAA/confidentiality and the law)



Blood alcohol level or toxicology testing


Rape exam results


Hidden drug stores (e.g. body cavities)


When should access to a crime victim be allowed? To a suspected perpetrator?


What right to privacy do prisoners have with regard to history, physical exam?


Can/should discharge plans be shared with prisoners?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 28



Topic: When a patient requests disability certification, handicap plates, etc. – or when they request renewal of a revoked driver’s license (e.g. can a practitioner-patient relationship be maintained when a patient doesn’t get what they want?)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 29



Topic: How much resources should be spent on a single patient’s case? (i.e. public health cost v. value of human life)


Subtopic: When do you stop looking for answers to a patient’s ‘mystery problem’?


Subtopic: When if ever do you call a case futile based on cost/public burden of care?


Subtopic: What resources need to be made available at a hospital for ‘rare’ situations or patients?



MRI for the morbidly obese


Male Pap smear equipment

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 30



Topic: How much information must a practitioner share with a patient?



Explanation of logic for decisions/opinion/treatment plan, explanation of test results


Explanation of all potential side-effects


How much information is needed for ‘informed consent’?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 31



Topic: How to deal with a patient seeing two or more practitioners (same specialty, overlapping meds, etc.)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles
Case 32



Topic: How to manage chronic pain (e.g. are ‘pain contracts’ ethical?; how is pain objectively assessed?)

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 33



Topic: At what age, if any, do you stop health maintenance disease screening?


Subtopic: At what age, if any, to you stop invasive procedures? Placing pacemakers?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 34



Topic: When can a practitioner withhold therapy from a patient based on their behavior?



Examples: HAART therapy for HIV, HepC treatment, anti-coagulation


Behavior: Non-adherence to therapy, substance use/abuse, continued tobacco use/abuse


Subtopic: When does a patient qualify for a transplant? Is 6 months sobriety appropriate?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 35



Topic: When a Jehovah’s witness needs a blood transfusion



Are blood substitutes allowed?


Should surgery/organ transplantation be withheld if transfusion will not be allowed by the patient?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

Case 36



Topic: How far does screening go?



Breast cancer genes, hypercoaguability work-up in family members of a patient with a new diagnosis


Will this lead to insurance decisions re: ‘pre-existing conditions’?

• Narrative of clinical scenario with specific example of ethical dilemma
• Questions for thought/discussion
• Explanations of underlying ethical and legal principles

 
Comprehensive Exam

Suggested reading and internet resources

Glossary of terms

Index

Erscheint lt. Verlag 9.10.2008
Vorwort Rosemarie Tong
Zusatzinfo XIV, 240 p.
Verlagsort Totowa
Sprache englisch
Themenwelt Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Allgemeines / Lexika
Medizin / Pharmazie Allgemeines / Lexika
Medizin / Pharmazie Gesundheitswesen
Medizin / Pharmazie Medizinische Fachgebiete Allgemeinmedizin
Medizin / Pharmazie Medizinische Fachgebiete Innere Medizin
Medizin / Pharmazie Medizinische Fachgebiete Medizinethik
Studium Querschnittsbereiche Geschichte / Ethik der Medizin
Naturwissenschaften Biologie
Schlagworte Autonomy • Beneficence • Case-Based Ethics • confidentiality • Death • Diagnostics • Ethical Dilemma • ethics • First, Do No Harm • Health • Health Care Power of Attorney • Internal Medicine • Medical Ethics • Patient bill of rights • primum non nocere
ISBN-10 1-60327-246-1 / 1603272461
ISBN-13 978-1-60327-246-9 / 9781603272469
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