Ethics and the 2018 Practice Guideline on Disorders of Consciousness
Andrew Peterson, Michael J. Young, Joseph J. Fins
Abstract
The 2018 practice guideline on disorders of consciousness marks an important turning point in the care of patients with severe brain injury. As clinicians and health systems implement the guideline in practice, several ethical challenges will arise in assessing the benefits, harms, feasibility, and cost of recommended interventions. We provide guidance for clinicians when interpreting these recommendations and call on professional societies to develop an ethical framework to complement the guideline as it is implemented in clinical practice.
Topics & Concepts
GuidelinePersistent vegetative stateConsciousnessClinical PracticeMedicinePsychologyMedical ethicsEthical issuesClinical EthicsPsychiatryNursingMEDLINEInformed consentHealth careEngineering ethicsComplement (music)Consciousness DisordersPsychotherapistEthics committeeProfessional ethicsHealth professionalsMental health careMental healthPoint (geometry)Patient careFamily medicineTraumatic Brain Injury ResearchTraumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular DisturbancesHealthcare Decision-Making and Restraints