Clinical ethics: theory or practice?
This article starts with a brief historical account of the ongoing debate about the status of clinical ethics: theory of practice. The author goes on to argue that clinical ethics is best understood as a practice. However, its practicality should not be measured by the extent to which clinical-ethical consultants manage to mediate or negotiate resolutions to ethical conflicts. Rather, clinical ethics is practical because it is characterized by a profound concern for the well-being of individual patients as well as the moral parameters of swift and urgent medical action in the face of limited supportive information.
Welie
J V
JV
CEREC Center for Southeast Florida, Ft. Lauderdale 33329, USA.
D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003657:Decision Making; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D026822:Ethicists; D033061:Ethics Consultation; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D004992:Ethics, Medical / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011364:Professional Practice; D024382:Professional Role