Ethics: Today's Hot Topics

• Med Students Still Do Pelvic Exams on Women Under Anesthesia   Medical students are still performing pelvic exams on anesthetized women without their consent. An ethicist explains why this practice must end.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, May 2018
• Should Doctors Help People Die Just Because They're Elderly?   A Canadian couple in their 90s recently passed away together under Canada's law that permits physician-assisted dying. An ethics expert explains why this was wrong.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, May 2018
• Should We View Obesity as Normal and Okay?   Many people say that obesity is normal. An expert says we shouldn't shame people because they're fat, but we shouldn't concede that being fat is normal either, because it is unhealthy.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, May 2018
• Should People Carry Naloxone to Prevent Opioid Overdose?   The opioid epidemic is making more organs for donation available. An expert says we should do more to prevent these deaths.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, May 2018
• Was It Wrong for a Fertility Doc to Secretly Donate Sperm?   A woman who sent a DNA sample to a genetic testing company learned that a fertility doctor was her father. What should you say to patients about genetic tests?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, April 2018
• Should Clinicians With Conscientious Objections Be Protected?   HHS' Conscience and Religious Freedom Division is intended to protect healthcare professionals who want to opt out of performing certain procedures or providing certain medications. Is this necessary?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, March 2018
• Should We Try to Predict Child Abuse--and Proactively Prevent It?   A New Zealand study forecast the chance that a child would suffer parental abuse. If the chance exists, should we intervene, even if an abuse event has not happened?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, March 2018
• The Physician's Role in Reporting Sexual Abuse   The sexual abuse of members of the US gymnastics team underscores why such events should be reported. Here's why it's also important to tell patients what to expect during a physical examination.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, March 2018
• Former Aetna Medical Director Didn't Look at Medical Records   A former Aetna CMO said in his deposition that he never looked at patients' medical records in reviewing appeals for coverage. Should there be more transparency when coverage decisions are made?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, February 2018
• Are You Scared to Show Warmth to a Patient?   In light of the #MeToo movement, physicians may be wondering whether it is ever acceptable to hug a patient.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, February 2018
• Should You Lose Your License if You're Not Computer Savvy?   The use of electronic medical records requires that a physician be computer savvy. Can you lose your medical license if you lack computer skills?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, January 2018
• Should a Terminal Patient Receive Cataract Surgery?   Should a terminally ill cancer patient who asks for cataract surgery to improve his quality of life be granted his wish?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, January 2018
• Was Matt Lauer Too Naive About Patient-Doctor Confidentiality?   When someone discusses sensitive matters, such as sex, with a physician or therapist outside of the office and asks for privacy, does patient confidentiality apply?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, January 2018
• Should You Honor a DNR Tattoo?   If an incapacitated patient has a 'do not resuscitate' request tattooed on his or her body, should a physician comply with the request?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, January 2018
• Should You Tell Elderly Patients to Stop Driving?   Should physicians be responsible for telling elderly drivers that they should no longer be driving? What alternatives are there for patients who still want to remain mobile?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, December 2017
• Will Pig Organs Be Used for Transplants?   Immunosuppression and the fear of transmitting diseases that animals have to people have impeded pig organ transplants in humans. Will new scientific advances enable pig organ transplants?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, November 2017
• Should Medical Schools Eliminate Lectures?   The University of Vermont Medical School has eliminated lectures in favor of active learning. Will other medical schools follow?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, November 2017
• Parental Authority Should Be Overridden for a Sick Child   A baby with jaundice recently died as a result of the parents' religious beliefs. Should parental authority be overridden for a sick child?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, November 2017
• Is It Time to Rethink Funding for Research on Gun Violence?   The recent spate of mass shootings, including the horrific one in Las Vegas, has prompted an outcry to address funding for research on gun violence.
  Medscape Business of Medicine, October 2017
• Should You Recommend Coffee Drinking to Your Patients?   Recent studies suggest that coffee drinking may be good for you, but more data replicating these studies are needed. Should you recommend coffee consumption to patients?
  Medscape Business of Medicine, October 2017