Dennis Sullivan, MD, MA (Ethics) Director, Center for Bioethics Cedarville University Center Website:
Objectives: To review the major principles of modern biomedical ethics To provide a historical context for these rules To consider how these principles may need modification in a cross-cultural context
2400 years of normative medical practice Exemplified by the Hippocratic Oath (400 B.C.) Four Rules: Beneficence Non-Maleficence Distributive Justice Autonomy 1 Beauchamp, Tom L., and James F. Childress. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 7th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.
H: “I will apply treatment for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment.” Always acting in the best interest of a patient
H: “I will keep them from harm and injustice.” “Primum non nocere:” First, do no harm (L. version first said by Galen) Two specific prohibitions: no assisted suicide no abortion
Treat everyone the same, regardless of… H: “Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief, and in particular of sexual relations with both male and female persons, be they free or slaves.” Remarkable in a Greek society where women and slaves had no rights.
The fourth dictum of medical principlism Never even implied in the Oath, but very important today Gives rise to the idea of informed consent
Professionalism Medicine is a high calling The oath is akin to ordination Confidentiality Keeping medical information private H: “What I may see or hear in the course of treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account ought to be spread abroad, I will keep to myself, holding such things shameful to be spoken about.”
Medical ethics seminar in New Delhi, India Roopa: Pro-life (adopted an abandoned baby girl) But had trouble when I said I would refuse to refer a patient for abortion
New Delhi conference: physicians not willing to terminate life support “Always wrong” It is euthanasia According to these Christian physicians In fact, withdrawal of futile treatments is quite ethical (with strict qualifications)
Western idea From Immanuel Kant and the Enlightenment Patients are willing and able to make their own decisions Implies a strong degree of individualism Not always true of developing cultures!
“Don’t tell my wife she has cancer” Common request by a loving African husband In fact, she is illiterate and probably cannot comprehend the facts More sinister: 22 year old man with gangrene of left foot Needed amputation, consent by parents and him Blocked by village chief Confidentiality Story of pastor with AIDS With tears: “I only cheated on my wife one time!” I spent over an hour, promising not to discuss his infidelity with anyone
Women have few rights (in the Western sense) AIDS, FGM, and poverty add to the gender disparity Few women recognize the disparity We cannot correct these disparities at the bedside A clinician must accept these things and live within the system
Long-standing cultural practice Koran: up to four wives (though may be over-interpreted by Christians) May be more related to folk Islam than high Islam
In Africa, 4 th wife is often very young (12-14) Belief that this will give an older man vigor Pregnancy: “children having children” CPD ischemic damage to anterior vaginal wall VVF constant leaking Women then abandoned, stigmatized Repair of VVF is a ministry opportunity
How much do we practice Western medicine? Example of AAA in patient with Marfan’s Syndrome Decided not to operate (for the greater good) Paternalism Not our habit But given the lack of education, may be the best policy Resource limitations Frustrating Can be a big cause of overwork and burnout
Four Rules: Beneficence Non-Maleficence Distributive Justice Autonomy Other aspects Professionalism Confidentiality Remember: “The rules are the same, but the context is different.”
Dennis Sullivan, MD, MA (Ethics) Director, Center for Bioethics Cedarville University Center Website: