Guarding the integrity of medical ethics: some lessons from Soviet Russia
Article Abstract:
The communist destruction of the Russian healthcare system can serve as a reminder that corruption of medical ethics hurts society. Even in democracies, medical ethics can be compromised. For example, an Oregon law allows lethal doses of medicine to be prescribed to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide. A new moral code must be formulated by Russia's doctors to improve health care. Under the communist regime, the Hippocratic Oath was changed to reflect the policies of the state. Human rights and patient choice of treatment were dropped. Although access to medical care was guaranteed it was not equal, and patient well-being became secondary to politics. Some doctors stood up to the government but were imprisoned. Others complied with the policies of the state because of fear or indifference.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Ethics
Article Abstract:
The value of the Hippocratic oath is being questioned. Critics say the oath is of dubious authorship and was not widely accepted in ancient times. Some of the terminology in the oath is vague and open to interpretation. They claim the oath should be updated to reflect contemporary morals. Many physicians do not strictly follow the oath, and some of its principles hinder the development of a market-based health care system. Defenders say the doubts surrounding the oath's origin are no reason to abandon it. They believe any ethic that can be changed frequently according to social conventions would be a very poor foundation for any profession. They question how a profession without a moral foundation would treat its customer, the patient. However, they are not averse to making minor modifications to the oath.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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Emerging ethical issues in palliative care
Article Abstract:
Adequate care for the dying patient was bolstered in 1997 when the US Supreme Court confirmed its worth. The Court denied that patients have a constitutional right to assisted suicide but supported the relief of pain in terminal care. Pain relief is often inadequate because physicians are afraid patients will become addicted to painkillers or because a strong dose may hasten death. However, as long as death is not the intention, the Court supported the use of narcotics in doses appropriate enough to relieve pain. Informed consent for palliative care must be received from the patient.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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