Principles of Health Care Ethics. This item is unavailable.Principles of Health Care Ethics

Over 100 authors, representing a wide range of disciplines, nationalities, religions and cultures, write about the many complex ethical dilemmas posed by modern medicine and health care in this richly diverse and thought–provoking collection. The result is a combination of reference work and narrative, both useful and accessible as a professional resource, and informative and readable as an overview of current thinking. The book’s use, analysis and critique of four moral principles respect for autonomy, beneficence, non–maleficence, and justice provide a linking theme throughout, giving the reader an appreciation of the power of these basic principles in providing an analytical framework for moral reflection on ethical issues in health care. The topics discussed in this book are relevant to everyone working in, or associated with, medicine and health care, whether student, practitioner, teacher or researcher, but its appeal will also extend to those in the fields of philosophy, medical law, sociology and theology, and the general reader concerned about the many moral problems that arise in medical practice.

About the Editors: Raanan Gillon qualified in medicine from University College London and Christ Church Oxford and then spent seven years in medical journalism, editing a weekly medical newspaper before returning to medicine in 1971. In 1979 he completed a philosophy degree at London University while practising part time as a general practitioner and student health doctor, obtaining the university’s ‘top first’ in philosophy and the Birkbeck College prize for philosophy. He became Editor of the Journal of Medical Ethics (JME) in 1981. In 1982 he became Director of the Imperial College Health Service, and in 1987 Visiting Professor of Medical Ethics at King’s College London, at the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics. In 1989, he was appointed Visiting Professor of Medical Ethics at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School/Imperial College, London University an appointment he combines with his general practice and editorship of the JME. He has written and lectured extensively on medical ethics, and continues to be especially interested in issues to do with the concept of personhood, and in the use of the ‘Four Principles’ approach as a common basis not only for health care ethics but also for international and intercultural ethics more generally.

Ann Lloyd, who has a degree in philosophy, English and economics, is a freelance journalist specializing in women′s issues, health and medical ethics. She met Raanan Gillon in 1969 when he was Editor and she was Chief Sub–editor of a medical weekly newspaper for GPs, Medical News Tribune. After eight years in New Zealand, writing for magazines and the New Zealand Herald she returned to England in 1980, becoming Technical Editor of the Journal of Medical Ethics in 1982. She currently writes for such newspapers as The Guardian, The Times and The Independent as well as the medical press.