Medical Ethics Health Article

KEY TERMS

Casuistry—A case-based approach to medical ethics.

Categorical imperative—The principle that one should act in such a way that one's deeds could become universal rules of conduct.

Ethics—A system or set of moral principles; also, the study of values relating to human conduct.

Hippocratic Oath—The ethical oath attributed to Hippocrates that is used as a standard for care by physicians worldwide.

Pragmatism—A philosophical position that regards practical results, rather than abstract principles or theories, as the essential criterion of moral value.

Utilitarianism—An ethical position based on the premise that usefulness is the best measure of moral worth, and that ethical decisions should promote the good of the largest number of persons.

BOOKS

Brody, Baruch A., et al. Medical Ethics: Codes, Opinions, and Statements. New York: BNA Books, 2000.

Burkhardt, Margaret A., and Alvita K. Nathaniel. Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers, 1998.

Davis, Anne J., et al. Ethical Dilemmas and Nursing Practice. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996.

Dubler, Nancy N. "Legal and Ethical Issues." The Merck Manual of Geriatrics. 2nd ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Hughes, James J., and Damien Keown. "Buddhism and Medical Ethics: A Bibliographic Introduction." Journal of Buddhist Ethics 7 (2000): 1-12.

Sabatini, Margaret M. "Health Care Ethics: Models of the Provider-Patient Relationship." Dermatology Nursing (June 1998): 201-206.

Singer, Peter A. "Medical Ethics (Clinical review)." British Medical Journal 321 (July 29, 2000): 282-285.

Wolinsky, Howard. "Steps Still Being Taken to Undo Damage of 'America's Nuremberg.'" Annals of Internal Medicine (August 15, 1997).

ORGANIZATIONS

American Medical Association, Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. 535 North Dearborn St., Chicago, IL60610. (312) 645-5000.

American Nurses Association. 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Ste. 100 West, Washington, DC 20024. (800) 274-4262. <http://www.nursingworld.org>.

American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. 4700 W. Lake, Glenview, IL 60025. (847) 375-4745. <http://www.asbh.org>.

Canadian Medical Association. 1867 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa ON K1G 3Y6. (613) 731-8610 x2307 or (888) 855-2555. Fax (613) 236-8864. <cmamsc@cma.ca>.

Institute for Jewish Medical Ethics. Hebrew Academy of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. (415) 752-7333 or (800) 258-4427. <http://www.ijme.org>.

National Bioethics Advisory Commission. 6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20892. (310) 402-4242. <http://www.bioethics.gov>.

OTHER

Canadian Medical Association. Code of Ethics of the Canadian Medical Association. Policy statement approved by the CMA Board of Directors, October 15, 1996.

Ken R. Wells