Surgical Ethics

The first textbook on the subject, this is a practical, clinically comprehensive guide to ethical issues in surgical practice, research, and education written by some of the most prominent figures in the fields of surgery and bioethics. Discussions of informed consent, confidentiality, and advance directives--core concepts integral to every surgeon-patient relationship--open the volume. Seven chapters tackle the ethical issues in surgical practice, covering the full range of surgical patients--from emergency, acute, high-risk, and elective patients, to poor surgical risk and dying patients. The book even considers the special relationship between the surgeon and patients who are family members or friends. Chapters on surgical research and education address innovation, self-regulation in practice and research, and the prevention of unwarranted bias. Two chapters focus on the multidisciplinary nature of surgery, including the relationships between surgery and other medical specialties and the obligations of the surgeon to other members of the surgical team. The economic dimensions of surgery, especially within managed care, are addressed in chapters on the surgeons financial relationships with patients, conflicts of interest, and relationships with payers and institutions. The authors do not engage in abstract discussions of ethical theory; instead, their discussions are always directly relevant to the everyday concerns of practicing surgeons. This well-integrated volume is intended for practicing surgeons, medical educators, surgical residents, bioethicists, and medical students. The First Textbook On The Subject, This Is A Practical, Clinically Comprehensive Guide To Ethical Issues In Surgical Practice, Research, And Education, Written By Some Of The Most Prominent Figures In The Fields Of Surgery And Bioethics. Discussions Of Informed Consent, Confidentiality, And Advance Directives - Core Concepts Integral To Every Surgeon-patient Relationship - Open The Volume. Seven Chapters Tackle The Ethical Issues In Surgical Practice, Covering The Full Range Of Surgical Patients, Including Emergency, Acute, Highrisk, Elective, Poor Surgical Risk, And Dying Patients. The Book Even Considers The Special Relationship Between The Surgeon And Patients Who Are Family Members Or Friends. Principles And Practice Of Surgical Ethics-- Informed Consent: Autonomous Decision Making-- Confidentiality In Surgical Practice-- Advance Directives And The Determination Of Death-- Emergency Patients: Serious Moral Choices, With Limited Time, Information, And Patient Participation-- Acute, High-risk Patients: The Case Of Transplantation-- Acute Yet Non-emergent Patients-- Elective Patients-- Poor Surgical Risk Patients-- Care Of Dying Patients-- Patients Who Are Family Members, Friends, Colleagues, Family Members Of Colleagues-- Research And Innovation In Surgery-- Preventing And Managing Unwarranted Biases Against Patients-- Self-regulation Of Surgical Practice And Research-- Surgery And Other Medical Specialties-- Obligations Of Surgeons To Non-physician Team Members And Trainees-- Financial Relationships With Patients-- Understanding, Assessing, And Managing Conflicts Of Interest-- Relationships With Payers And Institutions That Manage And Deliver Patient Services. Edited By Laurence B. Mccullough, James W. Jones, Baruch A. Brody. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is the first textbook of surgical ethics. It is a practical, clinically comprehenive, well-organized guide to ethical issues in surgical practice, research, and education written by leading figures in surgery and bioethics. The authors cover the surgeon-patient relationship, the full range of surgical patients, surgical education and research, and surgery and managed care. Their chapters are not abstract discussions of ethical principles; rather, they connect directly with the everyday concerns of practicing surgeons.