Medical Ethics Advisor
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Study: Social Media is Affecting Patients’ Access to Investigational Drugs
Patients and families are increasingly turning to social media to facilitate expanded access to unproven drugs, raising many ethical concerns.
Study Uncovers Deep-rooted Stigma About Palliative Care
There is a very strong stigma attached to palliative care — and it can persist even after positive experiences with an early palliative care intervention, found a recent study.
Better Communication with Family in ICU Reduces Intensity of End-of-life Care
Palliative care physicians acting as communication facilitators in the ICU reduced intensity of end-of-life care and length of stay, found a recent study.
570 Clinics Found Marketing Unproven Stem Cell Treatments
Stem cell interventions are offered at 570 clinics, with generally unproven treatments being marketed to consumers, found a recent study.
Cost Savings for Palliative Care in ACOs ‘Astounding,’ Say Researchers
Home-based palliative care within an accountable care organization was associated with significant cost savings, fewer hospitalizations, and increased hospice use in the final months of life, found a recent study.
Ethical Responses if Patient is Offended by a Healthcare Provider’s Tattoos
If a healthcare provider’s visible tattoos offend a patient or family member, does this supersede the clinician’s rights to self-expression?
Ethical Concerns if Cancer Drugs, and Science in General, are Overhyped
Half of the cancer drugs described with superlatives such as “breakthrough,” “groundbreaking” and “game-changer” were not yet approved as safe and effective, found a recent study.
Surprising Conflicts of Advisory Committee Speakers
Much attention has been paid to clinicians with financial ties to industry and resulting conflicts of interest, but patients who speak at public meetings also have financial ties, found a recent analysis.
Some Older, Chronically Ill Patients Don’t Realize They Have a Choice in Deciding Surgery
Patients and family members were surprised that postoperative recovery was so difficult, and lacked knowledge on advance directives and the fact that they could decline major surgery.
Drastic Surge in Drug Prices: ‘Unethical and Immoral’
A new business model is emerging in which pharmaceutical companies buy the rights to a drug, then raise the price dramatically. Often, the drugs are produced by one manufacturer, with few or no alternatives.