Overview
- Describes the gradual steps in the development of medical ethics in many parts of the world
- Looks back over more than 4000 years as ethics developed
- Compares attitudes to modern discoveries that have themselves posed – and are posing - ethical questions
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
About this book
Medical practitioners have always been expected to abide by certain standards of conduct and uphold certain values, more or less throughout the world. In this book, besides discussing specific ethical issues, the author ponders questions such as the right to life and the integrity of the human person. Ethics in medicine takes account of the principles that underlie the best decisions, particularly in unusual circumstances – such as a pandemic. Many of these are enshrouded in the oaths most doctors take – the Hippocratic Oath is perhaps the best known, and has influenced numerous others over the centuries. However, these principles and the resulting conduct have taken different directions at various moments in history and in different parts of the globe, though always primarily oriented to the protection of human health. The author compares some interesting similarities and differences, tracing the main social, legal and religious attitudes, in what has come to be known as"medical ethics", with all its benefits to Mankind.
Alongside basic human dignity, four main values have been pivotal in medical ethics: Caring for sick people, putting their well-being at the center of concern, and doing good. Not causing harm: never making a patient take risks, and never prescribing a doubtful treatment. Fairness: treating all patients in accordance with their health needs, never favoring or neglecting anyone on the basis of background, occupation, etc. Self-determination: the patient can be informed about treatments and, when possible, should approve the prescriptions. The doctor must show empathy, respect for confidentiality, and responsibility.
Briefly, this overview of the medical profession’s ethics focuses on experience, principles, aims, virtues and above all the basic rules which in various places through the centuries have governed the tortuous paths of Mankind.
Written byan acclaimed expert in the field, this book is of value for all those working in healthcare, and people interested in its ethics.
Keywords
Table of contents (18 chapters)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Raimondo G. Russo, has worked in Italy and abroad (United States, Holland, Germany) in a few areas complementary to pre-clinical and clinical research: toxicology, oncology, pathophysiology, oncological and respiratory pharmacology, pharmacovigilance and drug safety. He has published scientific articles and holds patents in Italy and in the U.S.A. His interest in past and recent history, combined with dedication to medicine, led him to delve into the long and tortuous path of medical ethics. This book, based on his own research, aims to enrich knowledge and stimulate correct behavior in daily medical practice.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Medical Ethics
Authors: Raimondo G. Russo
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42444-1
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Medicine, Medicine (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-031-42443-4Published: 29 February 2024
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-42446-5Due: 31 March 2024
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-42444-1Published: 28 February 2024
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXV, 356
Topics: Nursing Ethics, Health Care Management, Medicine/Public Health, general, Media and Communication, History of Medicine