Medical Ethics Advisor
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New guidance on palliative care delivery in oncology practices
A new guidance statement to define high-quality primary palliative care delivery in medical oncology has been developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
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Many academics on industry boards: Conflicts of interest are ethical concern
Academics from medical schools and research institutions hold nearly 10% of positions on boards of directors at publicly traded healthcare companies, according to a recent study.
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“Instant access” culture driving trend toward at-home testing
Ethical issues involving at-home self-testing include patient autonomy, the fact that knowledgeable providers aren’t interpreting findings, and the possibility of false or misleading results.
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Did ethics consults occur too late? Reluctant clinicians are one reason
Ethics consults often are called only after the patient lacks decision-making capacity and death is inevitable despite aggressive treatment.
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Greater palliative care knowledge in nursing homes linked to less aggressive end-of-life care
The more nursing directors knew about palliative care, the less likely their patients experienced feeding tube insertion, injections, restraints, suctioning, and emergency department visits, according to a recent study.
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Researchers accused of unethical practices: Psychiatric patients “extremely vulnerable”
In 2003, psychiatric researchers at the University of Minnesota recruited a mentally ill young man, Dan Markingson, into a study on an antipsychotic drug. Months later, the patient violently committed suicide; multiple allegations of unethical practices ensued. -
Ethical challenges in assessing adolescents’ decision-making capacity
An adolescent disagreeing with a parent over treatment is uncommon in the clinical setting. -
Could efforts to stop opioid abuse harm patient/physician relationship?
Due to a growing epidemic of opioid addiction, it’s possible that physicians will react to statements skeptically.
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Proposed changes on human subjects research raise some ethical concerns
Reduced administrative burdens and greater protection for human subjects are the goals of proposed revisions to the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, also known as the Common Rule.
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Conflicts can result in clinicians’ moral distress
Ethical conflicts within a care team are not uncommon — nor are they particularly surprising.