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Biomedical subjects

R M Veatch

Publications and source records attributed to R M Veatch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Hospital pharmacy: what is ethical?

Characteristics of ethical evaluations as they apply to the dilemmas faced by the pharmacist in the workplace are described, and the general principles and theories of Western normative ethics are discussed. Because ethical dilemmas are commonplace in pharmacy practice, pharmacists must develop a working knowledge of formal and systematic ethical analysis, as well as learn to distinguish ethical issues from social, psychological, political, and legal issues. Ethical evaluations are distinguished by three characteristics: They are ultimate, they possess universality, and they treat the good of everyone alike. Ethical analyses can be thought of as having four different and successive stages. The first stage is ensuring that all parties understand the facts of the specific case. If controversy remains after the facts are clear, parties to the dispute can proceed through three successive stages of general moral reflection: (1) the level of moral rules, (2) the level of ethical principles, and (3) the level of ethical theories. Specific moral rules cover groups of cases, and they generally are regarded as being derived from a shorter list of abstract moral principles. An ethical theory is a systematic position about which principles are morally significant, how the principles relate to each other, and how they should be tested. Pursuit of ethical dilemmas through the full hierarchy of levels of analysis exposes simplistic or irrational moral decisions and clarifies the nature of disputes.

Codes of Ethics↗
PubMed1986

Defining the family's role in treatment decisions.

Although new and complex questions concerning test-tube babies, surrogate mothers, and cross-species transplants have emerged with advancing technology, the ethical issues involved in everyday patient care have not become easier to resolve. Such questions as, What criteria should govern the withholding or withdrawal of treatment? and Who should make treatment decisions for an incompetent patient? continue to pose real dilemmas for patients, families, and care givers. As several recent court cases have shown, the issue of family autonomy in decision making is especially controversial. Whether a family's decision can be overridden if society deems it unwise and whether the interests of other individuals can be allowed to outweigh an incompetent patient's interests are questions that must be addressed in public debate. Ultimately, society must be the guardian of its most unfortunate and vulnerable when families are unprepared or ill-equipped to make critical choices.

Cultural Diversity↗
PubMed1986

DRGs and the ethical reallocation of resources.

To allocate resources ethically under DRGs, we need an expanded medical ethics. Appealing to traditional patient-centered principles such as individual beneficence and autonomy will not be sufficient. We also need to take into account the social principles of full beneficence and justice. If marginal benefits must be eliminated, clinicians should not participate in deciding who should get less care but should remain committed to their patients' interests.

Beneficence↗
PubMed1986

The ethics of resource allocation in critical care.

Increasingly, the ethics of resource allocation is becoming one of the most critical ethical problems faced by critical care decision makers; what is lacking is a framework for analyzing the ethics of decisions in resource allocation. This article examines the four ethical principles--patient-centered beneficence, autonomy, full beneficence, and justice--that can contribute to cost containment/resource allocation.

Beneficence↗
PubMed1985

Doctor's orders.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Communication↗