Ward Ethics: Dilemmas for Medical Students and Doctors in Training / Edition 1

by Thomasine K. Kushner, David C. Thomasma

Overview

The existing literature in medical ethics does not serve the practical needs of medical students and trainees very well. Medical students or junior doctors often have their own set of ethical concerns and the dilemmas that arise are generally beyond their direct control. The editors have addressed the gap in the literature by compiling a series of case studies from around the world and inviting an international team of leading ethicists and clinicians to comment on them. This volume includes over 80 actual cases that cover the range of possible problems a medical trainee may encounter on the ward.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521664523
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/07/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	7.52(w) x 9.72(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

Kushner, Thomasine K., PhD; Thomasma, David C., PhD

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; About the editors; Prologue: breaking the silence; Letter to a young doctor Richard Selzer; Part I. On Caring for Patients: Introduction; Section I. Performing Procedures: 1. The responsibility of informing; 2. Treating despite discomfort and self doubt; 3. Blaming the patient; 4. Breaking the code: is a promise always a promise? 5. The newly dead; 6. Asking for help: who is listening?; Section II. Problems in Truthtelling: 7. Omissions: failing to come forward; 8. Commissions: deliberate deception; Section III. Setting Boundaries: 9. From professional to personal; 10. Losing empathy; 11. The limits of compassion; Part II. On Becoming a 'Team Player': Introduction; Section IV. Abuse and Mistreatment: 12. Psychological: subjected to humiliating and belittling behavior; 13. Physical abuse: actual physical harm; 14. Sexual abuse: sexist slurs and sexual advances; Section V. Argot, Jargon, and Questionable Humor: 15. Comedians: mordant humor and cynicism; 16. What's in a name?; Section VI. Making Waves: 17. Personal identity; 18. Duties to treat?; 19. Hierarchy and the dynamics of rank; 20. Conflicts of interest; Section VII. Perceiving Misconduct and Whistleblowing: 21. Abusing alcohol or drugs; 22. Mistreating patients; 23. Covering up; 24. Misrepresenting research; Epilogue: using this book; Glossary; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"I think this book is excellent...This is a book that should be read by those who teach students, by those who train doctors, and by those who oversee undergraduate and postgraduate medical education."
—Ethics and Medicine


"The book uses more than 80 real life cases—followed by comments from international experts from varying fields—aiming to empower readers to reach their own conclusions...this book addresses a huge range of topics."
—British Medical Journal


"The mode of writing adds appeal and immediacy to the text...much of the advice is wise and helpful, and the writers avoid platitudinous suggestions about standing up for 'the right' in the face of instructions from seniors and teachers."
—Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine


"Ward Ethics is also very suitable for trainee doctors, if not all doctors, and I would recommend it to anyone with the slightest interest in medical ethics."
—Journal of Medical Ethics


"We are enthusiastic users of 'Ward ethics' in our Masters Program; I always tell my students that I am a bit jealous that I did not come up with the idea to write that book myself… it's excellent!"
—Menno de Bree, University of Groningen

From the Publisher