Main description:

In order to provide the highest level of care to patients and clients, health professionals need a sound knowledge and understanding of healthcare ethics. Foundations of Healthcare Ethics: Theory to Practice focuses on the philosophical concepts underpinning contemporary ethical discourse for health professionals, and arms both students and professionals with the knowledge to tackle situations of moral uncertainty in clinical practice. Specially written to provide an in-depth study into the theoretical foundations of healthcare ethics, it covers a range of normative ethical theories, from virtue ethics to utilitarianism, while also investigating their application to contemporary issues in health care and society. It provides opportunities for self-directed learning, and presents questions and case studies to facilitate engagement and discussion. Foundations of Healthcare Ethics provides both students and professionals with an understanding of the philosophy governing healthcare ethics in order to help provide a better level of care to patients and clients.

Contents:

1. Why study healthcare ethics? Patrick McArdle and Jo Grainger; 2. Ethical theories John Ozolins; 3. Ethical principalism John Ozolins; 4. Personhood and human dignity David G. Kirchhoffer; 5. Empathy and care John Ozolins; 6. Health care and virtue John Ozolins; 7. Rationality in utilitarian thought John Ozolins; 8. Natural law and the sanctity of human life John Ozolins; 9. Obligations, duties and rights John Ozolins; 10. A historical analysis of feminism and an application to contemporary healthcare ethics Jo Grainger; 11. Conscience and health professionals Brigid McKenna; 12. The discourse of human rights at the beginning of and end of life Frank Brennan; 13. When does human life begin? A theological, philosophical and scientific analysis Norman Ford and Jo Grainger; 14. Autonomy and consent John Ozolins; 15. The 'dead donor rule' and organ donation Brigid McKenna; 16. Just care at the end of life Bernadette Tobin.