Handbook for Health Care Ethics Committees

The Handbook for Health Care Ethics Committees was conceived in 2007 to address the myriad responsibilities assumed by ethics committees. It provides an accessible language and sample cases to explore applied bioethics, including informed consent and refusal, decision-making and decisional capacity, truth-telling, care at the beginning and end of life, palliation, justice in and access to health care services, and organizational ethics. The third edition has been thoroughly updated and reorganized, with special attention to changes in the health care landscape, communication between and among patients, care providers, and families, the demands of professionalism, the essential role that ethics committees can and should play, and how their effectiveness and value can be assessed. An entirely new chapter examines research ethics, and the book also addresses the challenging ethical issues raised by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 488 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2021
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

Ethics committees in healthcare play a crucial role in ensuring that decisions made regarding patient care are guided by moral principles and values. However, there is a need for these committees to increase their effectiveness and demonstrate their value as essential moral resources for their organizations. One way to achieve this is by providing comprehensive training and education to committee members. This training should cover topics such as ethical theory, decision-making processes, and the application of ethical principles to specific healthcare situations. Additionally, committees should ensure that they have access to the necessary resources, such as expert advice and literature, to support their work.

Another way to enhance the effectiveness of ethics committees is by promoting open and transparent communication within the organization. This includes facilitating dialogue between patients, care providers, and families, as well as between committee members and other stakeholders. By engaging in effective communication, committees can better understand the concerns and values of those they serve and make informed decisions that are in the best interests of patients.

Furthermore, ethics committees should focus on developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with ethical principles. This includes ensuring that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their care, that care providers are held accountable for their actions, and that there are mechanisms in place to address ethical concerns and complaints.

In addition to these measures, ethics committees can also demonstrate their value by engaging in ongoing evaluation and improvement. This includes assessing the effectiveness of their policies and procedures, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes based on feedback and evidence-based research. By demonstrating their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, ethics committees can build trust and credibility with their stakeholders and demonstrate their value as essential moral resources for their organizations.

In conclusion, dedicated health care ethics committees can increase their effectiveness and demonstrate their value as essential moral resources for their organizations by providing comprehensive training and education, promoting open and transparent communication, developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with ethical principles, and engaging in ongoing evaluation and improvement. By doing so, these committees can ensure that decisions made regarding patient care are guided by moral principles and values and that patients receive the highest quality of care.

Weight: 1002g
Dimension: 178 x 254 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421442341
Edition number: third edition