Key Points ▪ Deontologic (“rules-based”) ethical theory and utilitarian (outcome-based) theory clash in clinical scenarios in which the interests of individual patients are pitted against the interests of larger populations. ▪ In the United States, the predominant medical ethical principle…
Case Scenario Mrs. R, a 45-year-old woman, was admitted to the hospital pregnant with her fourth child. She was delivered of her daughter the next day but suffered hemorrhagic complications related to placenta accreta. Because of her religious beliefs, Mrs.…
Case Synopsis A physician’s husband has undergone partial nephrectomy at her hospital for a suspicious lesion in his left kidney. The surgery was complicated by fever and acute renal failure. While on call one evening, curious to see how her…
Case Synopsis An 86-year-old woman presents as an add-on operating room case late one afternoon for treatment of a hip fracture suffered in a fall at home. She lives independently with home assistance. She is clearly competent and articulate and…