Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions

Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions

<p>Ideal for all health care professionals, <b>Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions, 5th Edition</b> 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.</p><ul><li><b>Unique! 6-step process of ethical decision-making</b> provides an organizing framework for the steps to take in arriving at an ethical decision.</li> <ul><li>Step 1: Gather relevant information</li><li>Step 2: Identify the type of ethical problem</li><li>Step 3: Analyze the problem using ethics theories or approaches</li><li>Step 4: Explore the practical alternatives</li><li>Step 5: Act</li><li>Step 6: Evaluate the process and outcome<b></b></li></ul><li><b>Patient stories</b> 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.</li><li><b>Content on end-of-life care</b> shows how to develop a caring response toward dying patients and identifies basic ethical concepts applying to patients with life-threatening conditions.</li><li><b>Unique! More than 100 <i>Reflection</i> boxes</b> indicate important concepts and include space to jot down thoughts.</li><li><b>HIPAA and patient confidentiality information</b> covers current laws and addresses what types of information are appropriate and inappropriate to include in the patient's medical record.</li><li><b>Questions for thought and discussion</b> help you apply the ethical decision-making process to different situations.</li><li><b>Unique! Over 80 summary boxes</b> offer a quick review of the important information in each section.</li> </ul><ul><li><b>Unique! New coverage of biotechnology</b> addresses the professional's role relating to environmental responsibility and the ecological costs of various health care interventions.</li><li><b>Unique! New content on the intersection of technology and ethics</b> 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.</li><li><b>Unique! New content on terrorism and disaster planning</b> describes the ethical dilemmas professionals face in preventing terrorism and planning for disasters.</li><li><b>New topics on the ethical decision-making process</b> include the concepts of care, distinguishing ethical reasoning as a distinct part of your clinical reasoning and professional judgment, and attention to caregivers.</li><li><b>New coauthor Regina Doherty</b>, an occupational therapist, adds expertise and an OT perspective.</li> </ul>