Medical Ethics Advisor – November 1, 2004
November 1, 2004
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Incentives to physicians: Wise policy or risky temptation?
With the advent of managed health care came the need for managed care organizations (MCOs) to develop ways to convince physicians of the need to cut unnecessary medical costs. The resulting growth of incentives to physicians both real and perceived brought on debate that has yet to abate among health care professionals, legislators, and the public. -
Parents of dying children mourn what they didn’t say
Children who know they will die soon face many common fears, including loss of control, pain, and causing sadness to their families. Swedish researchers have found that parents who talked openly with their dying children about these and other related issues did not regret it, while parents who avoided the painful discussions now wish they hadnt. -
Discussing Death with Children
When discussing death, always use language that the child will understand. Parents and health care providers should consider the following: -
Soliciting for ‘gift of life’ causes controversy
A Texas man whose family circumvented the national organ donor registry by mounting an Internet and billboard campaign asking for a donated liver not only was successful in obtaining a liver, but also succeeded in escalating the national debate over the ethics of soliciting anonymous directed donations. -
AMA Code of Ethics still applies a century later
Despite having been written 157 years ago, the American Medical Associations (AMAs) Code of Medical Ethics still is a critical tool for solving day-to-day ethical dilemmas, according to experts who recently evaluated the guide. -
News Briefs
Judge approves physician- Aetna settlement; Some British med students justify sex with patients; Prosecution urged for flu vaccine price gouging; Health disparities persist between Hispanics, whites.