Healthcare and Human Dignity

Frank McClellan is a professor of law emeritus at the Beasley School of Law, Temple University, Philadelphia. He is the author of Medical Malpractice:  Law, Tactics and Ethics (Temple University Press, 1994) and co-author of Tort Law: Cases, Perspectives, and Problems (LexisNexis, 1991-2007).

PART ONE: FIGHTING FOR ACCESS TO CARE

Introduction: Human Dignity as a Lived Experience

1    Healthcare and Law: Appreciating the Need to Protect Human Dignity: Law Matters: Law Matters: Introduction to the Powers and Limitations of American Law

2    Philosophical and Legal Conceptions of Dignity: Trusting Your Doctor: Defining Dignity: Law Matters.

3    Emergency Care in America: Law, Morality and Ethics “I’m nobody. Who are you? Are you nobody too?”: Economic vs. Moral Decision-Making: Seeking Help From Strangers: A Pregnant Woman: Reflections on Law, Morality and Ethics: The Wallet Biopsy: Patient Dumping  

PART TWO: POWER AND TRUST

4    Professional Bias, Class Bias, and Power: Emotional Distress: Abuse of Power, Intentional Torts and Dignitary Harms: Tort Law and Patient Autonomy

5    The Love Doctor: Sex and Gender Bias; Breach of Trust and Abuse of Power: Medical Ethics and Professional Power: Law matters

6    Innovative Therapy and Medical Experimentation: The Maverick Surgeon: Medical Experimentation on Children?: Law Matters: Legal Cases: Lessons Learned: Legal Regulation of Professional Medical Care: Trying a New Approach with a New Device: The Legal Rules Governing Medical Malpractice Claims: Medical Research, Ethics and Law: Lessons Learned 

PART THREE: RACISM IN HEALTHCARE: PRACITCE, POLICY AND LAW 

7    Introduction:  Perspectives on Racism: “Black People Just Don’t Understand”– the Botched Hysterectomy: Race, Healthcare, and Human Dignity

8    Healthcare Disparities as a Lived Experience: One Family’s Story: Unequal Community Access

9    Catastrophic Injuries: Protecting and Restoring Human Dignity: The Lawsuit That Lasted Ten Years: Life After A Catastrophic Injury: Reflections on Healthcare, Law and Catastrophic Injuries

10    Orthopedic Health Disparities: Grappling with Socioeconomic Factors that Affect Health and Healthcare: Being Human:  Joint and Bone Health: Informed Consent and Shared Decision-Making: Toward Patient-Centered Care: Revisiting Kathy Jones

11    Paying for Healthcare Costs: Lessons From a 50-Year-Old Government Program Called Medicare: Sustainability Issue: Payment Models and Human Dignity: A Personal Story: Lessons from Managed Care: Setting Limits: Medicare for All?: The Fight Over Obamacare:    

12    Health Care and Human Dignity in a Diverse and Changing World the Critical Role of Empathy, Compassion and Humility: Humility: Empathy: Conclusion