Medical Ethics
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Report: Bioethics programs’ reproductive education doesn’t reflect needs of practicing OB/GYNs
Researchers conducted parallel surveys of directors of graduate bioethics training programs and obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in order to learn whether reproductive health education in bioethics programs reflected real-life concerns for practicing physicians.
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“Don’t worry about the cost” doesn’t reflect patients’ reality
"Don’t worry about the cost. All that matters is getting you well.” Well-meaning physicians frequently say this, but in fact, patients have good reason for wanting to know what care will cost them.
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Ethical controversy erupts over minors’ autonomy
In the controversial “Cassandra C” case, a 17-year old Connecticut girl diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma was ordered by the state Supreme Court to undergo chemotherapy against her will. The girl refused further treatment after undergoing surgery to remove a lymph node, but as of press time is being kept in a hospital room under court order.
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Education, follow-up reduce readmissions
A pilot project providing coaching and follow up for heart failure (HF) patients who are readmitted frequently resulted in a 50% drop in the readmission rate at Indiana University (IU) Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN. -
Communicating with patients encouraged
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has launched an initiative with the Ad Council to encourage clinicians and patients to engage in effective two-way communication to ensure safer care and better health outcomes. -
Palliative care comprehension
Patients and caregivers are not often familiar with palliative care, or they misunderstand its purpose. Therefore, education on the reasons to make use of a multidisciplinary palliative care team and the benefits provided is important. -
For healthy behavior change, take the message into the community
In September 2011, world leaders held the first General Assembly at the United Nations to address chronic disease, which caused an estimated 36 million deaths world wide in 2008. -
Relevant messages made relevant
To reach the public with education messages, avoid lectures, says Barbara B. Mintz, MS, RD, assistant vice president of wellness at Newark (NJ) Beth Israel Medical Center. -
There is no need to reinvent the wheel
Technology is beneficial to people designing programs to impact the health behaviors of their patient population base, says Jason L. Bittle, community health improvement coordinator at Hanover (PA) Hospital Wellness and Education Center. -
Palliative care teams enhance education
Physicians and nurses helping patients learn to manage disease such as heart failure often have no time to talk about patients' preferences for care; if continued interventions are consistent with their goals, and what is hampering their quality of life.