title: Medical ethics in neurology and neurosurgery.
abstract: The author presents several basic concepts in contemporary medical ethics. Much of the discussion centers on self-determination and beneficence, two basic but sometimes opposed ethical principles in neurology and neurosurgery. These are applied to decision-making in competent and incompetent patients, using living-will legislation and recent legal decisions about withholding treatment as examples. The Baby Doe case is discussed in detail to demonstrate the importance of medical ethics in contemporary medical practice.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006625:Hippocratic Oath; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases; D007258:Informed Consent; D009462:Neurology / Q000592:standards*; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000592:standards*; D010290:Parents; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010358:Patient Participation; D014474:Unconsciousness; D014481:United States