Ethical Issues for Otolaryngology and Surgery in the Elderly

Clinical ethics is an intrinsic aspect of medical practice. Concerns for ethical conduct arise in the management of medical benefits, patient preferences, quality of life, and the relationship between patient care and its attendant familial, social, economic, and legal circumstances. Ethical concern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ear, nose, & throat journal nose, & throat journal, 1999-06, Vol.78 (6), p.422-428
Main Authors: Seidman, Michael D., Shapiro, Donald P., Shirwany, Najeeb A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Bioethics
Biological and medical sciences
Ethics, Medical
Euthanasia
Female
Health Care Rationing - trends
Health Services for the Aged - standards
Humans
Informed Consent
Male
Medical sciences
Otolaryngology - standards
Otolaryngology - trends
Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures - standards
Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures - trends
Patient Advocacy
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Resuscitation Orders
Teaching. Deontology. Ethics. Legislation
Terminal Care
United States
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Summary:Clinical ethics is an intrinsic aspect of medical practice. Concerns for ethical conduct arise in the management of medical benefits, patient preferences, quality of life, and the relationship between patient care and its attendant familial, social, economic, and legal circumstances. Ethical concerns in surgical practice are central to the essence of the Hippocratic doctrine, “First do no harm.” In caring for our patients, particularly in light of the modern practice of medicine, we often use the risk-benefit calculus. The range of ethical concerns for the otolaryngologist who deals with the elderly and infirm covers many diverse situations. Superimposed over this spectrum is the idea of patient autonomy, which is considered to be a cardinal issue in any ethical discussion. Furthermore, increasing medical care costs have created a debate regarding the rationing of healthcare. Ethicists continue the discussion as to whether age should be a decisive factor in the rationing of this care. Definitions of “heroic” and “extraordinary” assume greater significance, and controversies of language become pivotal when the comprehension and cognitive orientation of the patient are compromised by disease and senescence.
ISSN:0145-5613
1942-7522
DOI:10.1177/014556139907800611