Reviewer: Heather L Melick, JD, BSN, RN, CPHRM (The Ohio State University)
Description: This third edition is a comprehensive and thought-provoking review of ethics in the healthcare field. Subjects covered include patient confidentiality, consent to treatment, issues related to vulnerable populations, and end-of-life decisions - all issues that nurses (and other healthcare practitioners) are likely to face in their practice. The book provides valuable case studies for discussion, as well as summaries of relevant cases in this field. The first edition was published in 2008 and the second edition was published in 2014.
Purpose: The book provides a foundation for "understanding the intersection of law, ethics and the rights of the patient in the context of everyday nursing and health care practice." The objective of the book is worthy and needed. As health care becomes more complicated, nurses are likely the closest to the patient and, therefore, are most likely to be in the best position to spot ethical issues. As such, nurses should be conversant in ethical issues and frameworks as they care and advocate for their patients.
Audience: The book notes that it is for practitioners (specifically, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals). In my opinion, this book is useful for practitioners, but also for nursing students and allied health students (both undergraduate and graduate levels). The book meets the needs of its intended audience. The author has the appropriate credentials for this book.
Features: The book presents key ethical concepts and then applies those to topics specific to health care and nursing, such as patient confidentiality, consent to treatment, issues related to vulnerable populations, and end-of-life decisions. The chapters address the primary ethical issues practitioners are certain to face at some point in their careers. What is particularly helpful is the chapter outline at the beginning of each chapter. The boxes with case studies and case law are easy to read and find and break up the text for ease of reading. However, I would recommend there be a distinctive design for case studies ("thinking points") versus case law discussions. The references at the end of each chapter, instead of at the end of the book, are helpful.
Assessment: This book presents a comprehensive and thought-provoking review of ethics in the healthcare field. The author begins by providing key ethical concepts and then applies those to topics specific to healthcare and nursing, such as patient confidentiality, consent to treatment, issues related to vulnerable populations, and end-of-life decisions. Throughout the text, the author provides historical context to the ethical issues, and demonstrates why nurses (and other healthcare professionals) must be aware of these concerns as they care and advocate for patients in the complex world of healthcare where nurses are relied upon for their issue-spotting and critical thinking skills. Case studies allow readers to identify and consider the ethical issues, apply a framework in which to analyze the cases, and have an opportunity to consider how to navigate the issues - this allows nursing professionals to be prepared when these issues arise in their practice. For U.S. readers, U.K. law provides the legal basis for this text, but that should not be a deterrent to using this book given the strength of its content. While the case law is not controlling in the U.S., the ethical dilemmas, ethical frameworks, and concepts are universal, and this book provides the guide to navigate these important issues.
