CJEM Articles: bioethics

Displaying 1-3 of 3 results

  • Ethics in the trenches: Part 2. Case studies of ethical challenges in emergency medicine
    September 2004 6 5
    Andrew McRae, Merril Pauls, Paul Dungey, Sam G. Campbell

    Unique ethical issues arise in the practice of emergency medicine, and common ethical problems are often more difficult to address in the emergency department than in other medical settings. This article is Part 2 of the Series "Ethics in the Trenches" and it presents and analyses 2 cases -- each dealing with an ethical challenge that emergency physicians are likely to encounter. The first case deals with patient refusal of care. When a patient refuses recommended care, the emergency physician must ensure the patient's decision is informed and that the patient comprehends the implications of his or her choice. The second case deals with patient involvement in criminal activities. Emergency physicians often encounter patients who have engaged in illegal activities. Although certain activities must be reported, physicians should be mindful of their responsibility to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.

  • Ethics in the trenches: preparing for ethical challenges in the emergency department
    January 2002 4 1
    Connie LeBlanc, Merril Pauls, Sam Campbell

    Ethical issues can be more difficult to address in the emergency department than in other settings. We present two cases, with the goal of stimulating moral reflection and encouraging emergency physicians to gain a better understanding of two important ethical issues: advance directives and resource allocation decisions.
    Understanding the legal and ethical basis for advance directives allows emergency physicians to determine when the directives should be followed and when they should be questioned. Resource allocation decisions are among the toughest decisions emergency physicians make. Although patients or substitute decision-makers define the value of a treatment goal, emergency physicians must ensure that this goal does indeed represent the patient's wishes, that it is achievable, and that competing claims for the same resource are considered.
    Learning from others' experiences and preparing for ethical problems in advance will help physicians feel more comfortable in dealing with ethical issues.

  • Does conflict of interest impact speaker credibility?
    July 2001 3 3
    Brigitte M. Baumann, Robert A. Lowe