Ethical Dimensions Of Health Policy

This book takes bioethics and health policy to a new level of integration. Moving beyond principles and normative frameworks, bioethicsists writing in the volume consider the actual policy problems faced by health care systems, while policy-makers reflect on the moral values inherent in both the process and content of health policy. Together, they explore the goals and processes involved in developing health policy and examine the roles of various stakeholders as well as the thorny ethical issues that arise.

Ideal for all health care professionals, Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions, 5th Edition provides a solid foundation in basic ethical theory, the terms and concepts of ethics, and current ethical issues. Expert authors Ruth Purtilo and Regina Doherty outline a unique 6-step decision-making process as a guide to making effective choices that lead to a professional and caring response to patients. They also suggest practical approaches to commonly encountered clinical issues such as confidentiality, informed consent, information sharing, and end-of-life care. With this book, you will develop the skills you need to recognize, understand, and resolve ethical problems. Unique! 6-step process of ethical decision-making provides an organizing framework for the steps to take in arriving at an ethical decision. Step 1: Gather relevant information Step 2: Identify the type of ethical problem Step 3: Analyze the problem using ethics theories or approaches Step 4: Explore the practical alternatives Step 5: Act Step 6: Evaluate the process and outcome Patient stories begin each chapter with an ethical dilemma and frame the rest of the chapter, tying abstract principles to real-life situations and demonstrating the ethical decision-making process for each story. Content on end-of-life care shows how to develop a caring response toward dying patients and identifies basic ethical concepts applying to patients with life-threatening conditions. Unique! More than 100 Reflection boxes indicate important concepts and include space to jot down thoughts. HIPAA and patient confidentiality information covers current laws and addresses what types of information are appropriate and inappropriate to include in the patient's medical record. Questions for thought and discussion help you apply the ethical decision-making process to different situations. Unique! Over 80 summary boxes offer a quick review of the important information in each section. Unique! New coverage of biotechnology addresses the professional's role relating to environmental responsibility and the ecological costs of various health care interventions. Unique! New content on the intersection of technology and ethics describes the impact of advances in medical technology in rehabilitative care, and helps you face difficult conversations where you must offer hope while presenting realistic outcomes. Unique! New content on terrorism and disaster planning describes the ethical dilemmas professionals face in preventing terrorism and planning for disasters. New topics on the ethical decision-making process include the concepts of care, distinguishing ethical reasoning as a distinct part of your clinical reasoning and professional judgment, and attention to caregivers. New coauthor Regina Doherty, an occupational therapist, adds expertise and an OT perspective.

This volume gives a thorough and global international coverage of health policy and ethics, with an in depth look at the pertinent background concepts, current issues and future needs and assessments. It includes economics, health care delivery, in depth coverage of issues of disparity, culture, and type of medicine.

This book demonstrates the utility of healthcare law, policy and professional standards in analysing the ethical issues that arise in the provision of health services. Rejecting moral absolutes, its examination of health law, policy and professional standards and of how societies codify beliefs is pertinent to ethical analysis - and also offers the possibility of practical solutions to healthcare challenges across the globe. Comparing and contrasting ethical and policy issues from countries around the world (with a focus on Asia, Europe and the USA), this book addresses such issues as conflict of interest, the balance between healthcare quality and cost, and the effect of geography and demographics on access to healthcare. Critique and discussion are tempered with suggestions for the evaluation of policy and systems; its pragmatic approach suggests how theory can and should inform practice. Health Policy and Ethics offers refreshing reading for professionals and academics in healthcare, medical ethics and policy. Researchers and students with an interest in healthcare delivery, comparative healthcare policy analysis, and health and human rights will also find much of interest. 'This book offers an unusual and welcome perspective on the rights and wrongs of health policy, with comparisons across space and time, from China to Italy, from Malaysia to India, from pharmaceutical ethics to the overarching topic of rationing.' Theodore Marmor, Professor Emeritus, Yale University School of Management Ethical analysis in this domain is not easy, as things held sacred will at times conflict, and of course within a given society there will be variability in values and priorities between individuals and over time. The anticipated difficulties serve to further emphasize that the ongoing ethical analysis should include input from those with experience and skill at that task. This book successfully demonstrates that point. In addition, Health Policy and Ethics is a welcome bridge between these two fields, and a very worthwhile read for individuals whose primary interest lies in either one. - From the Foreword by Mark R. Mercurio

"[This book is] the most authoritative assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of recent trends toward the commercialization of health care," says Robert Pear of The New York Times. This major study by the Institute of Medicine examines virtually all aspects of for-profit health care in the United States, including the quality and availability of health care, the cost of medical care, access to financial capital, implications for education and research, and the fiduciary role of the physician. In addition to the report, the book contains 15 papers by experts in the field of for-profit health care covering a broad range of topicsâ€"from trends in the growth of major investor-owned hospital companies to the ethical issues in for-profit health care. "The report makes a lasting contribution to the health policy literature." â€"Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.

This highly successful text has earned widespread acclaim for its versatility and simple, straightforward suggestions for ways to approach the analysis of ethical issues. Assists health professionals in ethical decision making and introduces a sound foundation in basic ethical theory, a familiarity with the terms and concepts of ethics, and an acquaintance with issues that health care professionals often face. This 3rd Edition is updated to reflect the most current issues, such as the cost of healthcare and the increase of managed care, the changes in the sites that offer healthcare, and the concerns associated with AIDS and infectious disease.

Global health is beset by ethical dilemmas surrounding issues such as health inequalities, power differentials, cultural competence, informed consent, and ethics of research. Presenting a solid theoretical foundation for global health work, this text supports students in understanding key areas of concern, ensuring that they are able to practise ethically worldwide. Written in an accessible manner, the book draws on political economy, human rights, and indigenous research methods, as well as cases in clinical work. Designed to encourage further inquiry, it includes discussion questions, lists of recommended resources, and suggested reading.

As it seeks to protect the health of populations, public health inevitably confronts a range of critical ethical challenges. This volume brings together 25 articles that open up the terrain of the ethics of public health. It features topics such as tobacco and drug control, and infectious disease.