Caring Community - Bioethics

How Hospitals Shape End of Life

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:18:25 -0800

How Hospitals Shape End of Life Care
Summary of Sharon. Kaufman, PhD Presentation to
California Coalition for Compassionate Care
Steering Committee Meeting June 3, 2005
Excerpted from Minutes of Meeting

Sharon Kaufman, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Anthropology at UC San Francisco recently published a book entitled, And a Time to Die: How American Hospitals Shape the End of Life. (2005, NY: Scribner). Dr. Kaufman said in her role as a medical anthropologist she “makes the strange, familiar; and makes the familiar, strange.” She described her recent research about the culture of hospitals and how they influence the “problem of death,” which she defined as people dying with too much technology and not enough humanity.

A Framework For Thinking Ethically

Thu, 3 Nov 2005 09:26:07 -0800

A Framework For Thinking Ethically
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University
This document is designed as an introduction to thinking ethically. We all have an image of our “better selves” - or of how we are when we act ethically or are “at our best.” We probably also have an image of what an ethical community, an ethical business, or an ethical government is - and maybe even an ethical society as a whole. Ethics really has to do with all three levels - acting ethically as individuals, creating ethical organizations and governments, and making our society as a whole ethical in the way it treats all.

American Journal of Bioethics

Fri, 1 Oct 2004 21:04:34 -0700

Bioethics Discussion Pages

Fri, 1 Oct 2004 21:05:01 -0700

These pages are where the questions and responses to bioethical issues are located. Bioethical questions may have significance for all of society and therefore the general public as well as ethicists should get involved and express what they think. Participants may write about any of the topics or invite discussion with a new topic.

Californians' End-of-Life Care Differs by Race and Ethnicity

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:38:19 -0700

This important study and related reports released by the California Healthcare Foundation in March 16, 2007 reports that: In California, the most populous and diverse state in the country, significant racial and ethnic differences exist at the end of life. These reports â�� the first in a new series of CHCF-supported projects focusing on end-of-life issues - found significant variations in the expectations, experiences, and decisions of patients and their families in the months preceding death.

“As California’s diverse population grows older, ensuring quality care at the end of life for everyone takes on even greater significance,” Mark D. Smith, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of CHCF, said Thursday at the Association of Health Care Journalists conference in Los Angeles. “By supporting research and projects to improve the quality of end-of-life care, CHCF sees an opportunity to help make California a national example of best medical practices and culturally appropriate care.”

Center for Practical Bioethics Resource Links

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:14:19 -0800

The Center for Practical Bioethics offers a variety of publications, video and audiotapes designed to enhance ethics education and promote discussion of ethics issues. Links are provided for free material and for items to purchase via their online store.

Center for Practical Bioethics-Case Studies at the Crossroads of decision

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:11:24 -0800

Case studies provide a way for us to analyze and think-through difficult medical and moral situations. This Center for Practical Bioethics webpage links you to stories that will challenge you to think clearly as you consider options at the crossroads of decision.

Defining Cultural Competence: A Practical Framework for Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 10:23:22 -0800

_Defining Cultural Competence: A Practical Framework for Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care_ by Joseph R. Betancourt, MD, MPH et al. Based on review of the relevant literature, the authors develop a definition of cultural competence, identify key components for intervention, and describe a practical framework for implementation of measures to address racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Socio-cultural barriers are reviewed along with efforts to address barriers.

Diversity Rx

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 10:04:46 -0800

Diversity Rx: Promoting language and cultural competence to improve the quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and ethnically diverse communities. Diversity Rx is supported by: The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Resources for Cross Cultural Health Care (RCCHC), and Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation of Menlo Park, CA. For more information contact Diversity Rx

Ethics in Medicine - End of Life Issues

Tue, 1 Nov 2005 20:20:39 -0800

Ethics in Medicine University of Washington School of Medicine
"End-of-Life Issues" published by Tony Back, MD, Faculty, Department of Medicine VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Faculty Associate, Department of Medical History and Ethics

A comprehensive essay written for doctors with links to in depth information of other related topics.

Topics covered in this lead in essay include:
What is a good death? A medical perspective.
What goals should I have in mind when working towards a decent death for my patient:
How do you know when someone is dying?
What should I know about the hospice approach?

Living Old: Frontline November 21, 2006

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 11:43:28 -0800

Living Old is one hour Frontline program filmed November 21, 2006 presenting a powerful and intimate journey into the uncharted territory of Americans living longer than ever — and what it means for them, their loved ones and our society. On this site you can view the whole program or individual chapters including:
The Stories-Living lives that neither the elderly nor their families ever prepared for.
Interviews-Doctors, one family’s story, and a conversation with a remarkable 94 year-old.
The Big Issues-What Needs to Change; Nursing Homes; Parents and Children; When Enough is Enough.

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University

Thu, 3 Nov 2005 09:56:03 -0800

A forum for research and discussion in all areas of applied ethics
The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University is one of the preeminent centers for research and dialogue on ethical issues in critical areas of American life. The center works with faculty, staff, students, community leaders, and the public to address ethical issues more effectively in teaching, research, and action. The center’s focus areas are business, health care and biotechnology, character education, government, global leadership, technology, and emerging issues in ethics. Articles, cases, briefings, and dialogue in all fields of applied ethics are available on this site. Publisher of Issues in Ethics Winter 2003 Volume 14 number 1 titled Last Things contains excellent insight into end of life care for the Latino community, article titled: Reluctant Realism by Margaret R. McClean and Margaret A. Graham

Midwest Bioethics Center/Center for Practical Bioethics

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:37:40 -0700

The Center for Practical Bioethics, formerly known as the Midwest Bioethics Center, has a 20 year history of raising and responding to ethical issues in health and healthcare and works specifically in the following areas. Researchers looking for Midwest Bioethics Center publications should contact the Center for Practical Bioethics.

Clinical and Organizational Ethics: solving moral problems by educating and empowering healthcare professionals and their institutions, advocating for patients’ rights, training ethics committees, and supporting change though ethics education and leadership.

National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 14:40:56 -0700

This link will take you to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care developed by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. The summary presents a professional consensus from five major US palliative care organizations on clinical guidelines for quality palliative care services adopted in May, 2004.

Nevada Health Ethics

Fri, 1 Oct 2004 21:05:42 -0700

The Nevada Center for Ethics & Health Policy is free standing within the College of Human and Community Sciences at UNR. Together with the Gerontology Academic Program, they have formed the SAGE consortium to better address ethics and aging issues in our state. They collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General, Sanford Center for Aging, Health Ecology, Nevada State Medical Association, HealthInsight, Health- care Facilities, hospices, state agencies, senior law organizations, UCCSN, and faith communities....promoting shared health care decisions.