| Title | Ethical issues for the plastic surgeon in a tumultuous health care system: dissecting the anatomy of a decision. | | Author(s) | Zbar RI, Taylor LD, Canady JW | | Institution | Stern & Kilcullen, LLC, USA. risz@ix.netcom.com | | Source | Plast Reconstr Surg 2008 Oct; 122(4):1245-52. | | MeSH | Conflict of Interest
Decision Making
Emergency Medical Services
Ethics, Medical
Humans
Informed Consent
Malpractice
Medical Errors
Morals
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Surgery, Plastic
| | Abstract | BACKGROUND: Society anticipates that plastic surgeons will make ethical decisions that are solely in the best interest of their patients. However, a variety of competing factors exert an influence on all decision-making processes.
METHODS: Multiple competing factors that commonly influence decision-making by plastic surgeons, on both conscious and subconscious levels, are identified. By exploring the ramifications of these factors, a more ethical outcome can be achieved.
RESULTS: Some of these competing interests that can sidetrack ethical decision-making include personal finances (e.g., ownership of surgical centers, selection of procedures, pricing); outside regulations (e.g., Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986 and care of the uninsured); and professional duty (e.g., informed consent, discussion of error).
CONCLUSIONS: Plastic surgeons who are aware of the competing interests that influence their decision-making processes stand a greater chance of achieving ethical outcomes. Nevertheless, with the growing volume of nonreimbursed care and expectations of perfect outcomes, achieving uniformly ethical decisions without burdensome self-sacrifice is difficult at best. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 18827661 |
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