Category: Definitions

Goals of care conversations are often viewed as being clinically oriented, but they serve an important ethical function as well in terms of establishing what is important in the care of a particular patient, such that action can be evaluated against that standard.  Furthermore, any particular goal of care for a patient is based on what is important to them in terms of health outcomes, and that is inevitably a reflection of values. Goals of care, therefore, establish the values that drive decision making about care....

One of the features that can distinguish organizational ethics consultations from clinical ethics consultations is the fact that relationships between the organization and staff are much more likely to arise in organizational ethics consultations. Organizational values->organizational values are often assumed to be about how care for patients is provided, but how an organization treats its staff has a profound effect on patient care.  The way in which a value such as integrity or respect is interpreted when considering interactions between the organization and its employees is different than how it is understood in thinking about how to treat particular patients and families....

One common response aimed at addressing the root cause of an ethics issue is providing education for providers, patients and clients, family members, or the public around the source of the dispute or uncertainty. Similarly, ethics consultants often notice trends across multiple consultations that can be traced back to a need for a particular type of education and an important role for ethics consultants is bringing these needs forward to the appropriate individual or body....

This is a list of links to all the definitions used throughout this website. ...