tech and health - ethics

Question 1

ethics

Answer 1

societal perspective, norms, RIGHT OR WRONG

Question 2

morals

Answer 2

personal/ individual basis, GOOD OR BAD

Question 3

ELSI (ethical, legal, and social implications) - what 2 questions does it ask

Answer 3

1. WHAT IS - to use scientific research methods to collect data to test hypotheses, evaluate programs, or develop a theory of a phenomenon (ex. do people receiving genetic test results suffer emotional distress? ex. does persistence of post test distress correlate with pre test temperament or traits?) - where would the data come from? - a) survey, b) measure distress with biological markers
2. WHAT OUGHT TO BE - to use normative research methods to determine what action, policy or practice is ethically justified or most appropriate (ex. if a study reveals an incidental finding, should an investigator reveal that finding? ex. if an incidental finding has health implications for other family members, should the law permit or compel a clinician to attempt to inform those family members over the objection of the patient? - social norms!)

Question 4

what is ethics

Answer 4

“ethos” = way of living
-human conduct, the behaviour of individuals in a society
-examines the rational justification for our moral judgements
-what is morally right or wrong, just or unjust

Question 5

values, principles, and purpose

Answer 5

values - things we hold to be good
principles - determine acceptable ways to get what’s good
purpose - reason for being

Question 6

autonomy

Answer 6

respect a person’s freedom to choose what’s right for them (trustworthiness) - ex. information privacy

Question 7

non-maleficene

Answer 7

do no harm (emotional and physical risks)

Question 8

beneficence

Answer 8

all choices for a patient are made with the intent to do good (the idea behind technology is to do good, there’s a benefit to science/ technology)

Question 9

justice

Answer 9

treat and provide care fairly to all patients (equity, high costs means no justice)

Question 10

ethical frameworks for evaluating health technologies

Answer 10

• frameworks have been developed, and there are published standards for doing this

1. human value principle: all human beings are of equal value and have the same right independent of personal characteristics or function in society
2. need and solidarity principle: resources should be distributed according to need
3. cost-effectiveness principle: when choosing between different interventions, we need a reasonable relationship between cost and effects, measured in improved health and quality of life

• effects on health –> compatibility with ethical norms –> structural factors with ethical implications –> long-term ethical consequences (if answers aren’t good in step one, you don’t move to the next one)

Question 11

how you’d use framework to advance analysis

Answer 11

1. effects on health (health, knowledge gaps, severity, third party) –> 2. compatibility wtih ethical norms (equality and justice, autonomy, privacy, cost-effectiveness) –> 3. structural factors with ethical implications (resources and organization, professional values, special interests)–> 4. long-term ethical consequences (long term consequences)

have to start at 1 and can only go to next if you meet 1