EDU 55 - The Bioethics of Radiation Oncology: Challenging Clinical Cases
MODERATOR(S)
Harvey Mamon, MD, PhD, FASTRO - Brigham and Womens Hospital
session DESCRIPTION
We propose a case-based interactive session with the goal of enhancing participants understanding of the moral theories underlying bioethics, and applying these theories to clinical cases that are relevant to radiation oncologists. We will start with the classic "trolley" problem, asking participants (through the ARS system) if they would pull a switch to divert the path of a trolley from its current course that would kill five people to an alternate route that would kill only one. We will follow this with a brief discussion of utilitarianism, evaluating its strengths and limitations as a moral theory. To demonstrate one of the limitations, i.e., that focusing on the best outcome for the largest number of people can lead to denial of individual rights, we will show variations of the trolley problem, for example if the one person on the alternate track is a family member rather than a stranger. We will then move on to the well-known four principles of bioethics, i.e., a) respect for autonomy b) beneficence c) non-maleficence and d) justice. We will explain these principles, while highlighting that "Principlism" is the most widely used, but only one of many available moral systems. With this background we will seek audience input paired with discussion from expert panelists on three clinical scenarios that involve ethical issues including: 1) informed consent and surrogacy in decision making, 2) medical futility, and 3) rationing of limited resources and moral distress.
learning objectives
- Apply the four core principles of bioethics to the clinical practice of radiation oncology.
- Recognize moral distress and moral residue in both patients and providers; develop a strategy for minimizing or managing these challenges, particularly around issues of informed consent, medical futility and resource allocation.
- Identify available institutional and regulatory resources to assist with resolving and adjudicating ethical dilemmas in the clinic that most impact patients and providers.
Credits
| AMA PRA Category 1 Credits: | 1.00 |
Presentations
-
05:15pm - 06:15pm PT
The Bioethics of Radiation Oncology: Challenging Clinical Cases
Speaker: Harvey Mamon, MD, PhD, FASTRO - Brigham and Womens Hospital, BOSTON -
05:15pm - 05:17pm PT
Introductions
Speaker: Harvey Mamon, MD, PhD, FASTRO - Brigham and Womens Hospital, BOSTON -
05:17pm - 05:32pm PT
Informed Consent in the Context of Non-disclosure of Cancer Diagnosis
Speaker: Subha Perni, MD - MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston -
05:32pm - 05:47pm PT
Reproductive Ethics
Speaker: Reshma Jagsi, MD, PhD, FASTRO - Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta -
05:47pm - 06:02pm PT
Palliative Radiation and Futility at the End-of-Life
Speaker: Bruce Haffty, MD, FASTRO - Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick -
06:02pm - 06:15pm PT
Questions and Answers
Speaker: Harvey Mamon, MD, PhD, FASTRO - Brigham and Womens Hospital, BOSTON