Ethics of Health Care: An Introductory Textbook

by Ashley, Benedict M.

• ISBN13: 9780878403752
• ISBN10: 0878403752
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

In the wake of the successful cloning of animals and the promises -- or fears -- of stem cell research, new discoveries in science and medicine need more than ever to be accompanied by careful moral reflection. Contending that concern over the ethical dimensions of these and other like issues are no longer just in the domain of those involved in medical practice, the third edition of Ethics of Health Care claims these are vital topics that should matter deeply to all citizens.

While stressing the Catholic tradition in health care ethics, Ethics in Health Care is ecumenical, incorporating a broader Christian tradition as well as humanistic approaches -- and takes as common ground for mutual understanding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations. This new third edition is a response to the many developments in theology and the startlingly rapid changes in the arenas of medicine and health care over the past decade, from the dominance of managed care to increased surgery on an "outpatient" basis; from hospice care for the dying to the incr

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
Methods in Health Care Ethics	1	(14)
The Enlightenment and New Ethical Systems	1	(2)
Hume's Contribution to Other Systems	3	(3)
Other Ethical Systems in the United States	6	(1)
The Moral System of the Catholic Church	7	(5)
Summary	12	(1)
Questions	12	(1)
Cases	12	(3)
The Content of Catholic Health Care Ethics	15	(16)
Is There a Catholic Ethics?	15	(2)
What Is an Ethical Principle?	17	(1)
Principles of Christian Faith	17	(6)
Principles of Christian Love	23	(2)
Principles of Christian Hope	25	(5)
Summary	30	(1)
Questions	30	(1)
Cases	30	(1)
The Person Seeking Health	31	(12)
The Notion of Person	31	(3)
The Person and Community	34	(2)
Developing Common Values	36	(2)
Priorities in Needs and Values	38	(2)
Summary	40	(1)
Questions	41	(1)
Cases	41	(2)
Defining Human Health	43	(12)
Concepts of Health and Disease	43	(2)
Disease and Illness	45	(2)
Biological Health	47	(2)
Higher Levels of Health	49	(2)
Integrating Human Functioning	51	(1)
Summary	52	(1)
Questions	52	(1)
Cases	53	(2)
Personal Responsibility for Health	55	(16)
The Individual's Quest for Health	55	(3)
Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle	58	(1)
Creative Stewardship of Health	59	(1)
Developing a Well-Formed Conscience	60	(5)
Concrete Application of Moral Norms	65	(1)
Elements of Informed Consent	66	(1)
Choosing a Physician	67	(2)
Summary	69	(1)
Questions	69	(1)
Cases	70	(1)
Responsibilities of Health Care Professionals	71	(16)
What Is a Profession?	71	(3)
Ideals of the Medical Profession	74	(2)
The Christian Health Care Professional	76	(1)
Personalizing the Health Care Profession	77	(4)
Professional Communication	81	(2)
Peer Relationships and Professional Discipline	83	(2)
Summary	85	(1)
Questions	85	(1)
Cases	86	(1)
Social Responsibility for Health Care	87	(18)
Models of Health Care	87	(4)
Gospel Principles of Social Organization	91	(2)
Functionalism	93	(3)
The Health Care Team	96	(2)
Health Care Ethics and Public Policy	98	(2)
The Catholic Health Care Facility	100	(2)
Summary	102	(1)
Questions	103	(1)
Cases	103	(2)
Human Research and the Allocation of Resources	105	(16)
Human Research	105	(3)
Norms for Research on Human Subjects	108	(7)
Allocating Resources: Micro and Macro Issues	115	(3)
Summary	118	(1)
Questions	119	(1)
Cases	119	(2)
Sexuality and Reproduction	121	(20)
The Meaning of Sexuality	121	(3)
Human Sexuality	124	(5)
Abortion	129	(2)
Disputed Cases: Ectopic Pregnancy and Anencephalic Infants	131	(1)
The Morality of Contraception	132	(2)
Natural Family Planning	134	(1)
Surgical Sterilization	135	(1)
Care of Rape Victims	136	(1)
Pastoral Considerations	137	(2)
Summary	139	(1)
Questions	140	(1)
Cases	140	(1)
Reconstructing Human Beings	141	(18)
Human Dominion over Nature	141	(2)
Surgical Procedures	143	(5)
Manipulation of Embryonic Cells	148	(6)
Genetic Manipulation	154	(3)
Summary	157	(1)
Questions	157	(1)
Cases	158	(1)
Mental Illness: Medical and Psychiatric Therapies	159	(20)
Mental Illness	159	(2)
Therapies for Mental Illness	161	(7)
Ethical Issues in Psychotherapy	168	(4)
Addiction	172	(3)
Summary	175	(1)
Questions	176	(1)
Cases	176	(3)
Death and Dying	179	(24)
The Mystery of Death	179	(2)
Determining the Moment of Death	181	(5)
Telling Truth to the Dying	186	(1)
Euthanasia and Suicide	187	(2)
Allowing a Person to Die	189	(8)
Pain and Dying	197	(1)
Care for the Corpse and Cadaver	198	(3)
Summary	201	(1)
Questions	201	(1)
Cases	202	(1)
Spiritual Ministry and Health Care	203	(12)
The Purpose of Pastoral Care	203	(1)
Spiritual Counseling	204	(2)
Celebrating the Healing Process	206	(4)
Baptism and the Eucharist	210	(2)
Summary	212	(1)
Questions	213	(1)
Cases	213	(2)
Epilogue	215	(2)
Appendix 1: Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services	217	(26)
Appendix 2: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations	243	(4)
Sources	247	(4)
Index	251