Medical Ethics, Law and Communication at a Glance

Editors vii Contributors vii Preface ix Part I Medical ethics and law 1 1 What is medical ethics? 2 2 Ethical theories and principles 4 3 Ethical reasoning 7 4 What is medical law? 10 5 The English legal system 13 6 Relationship between ethics, law and professionalism 16 7 Ethical decisions in practice 18 8 Negligence 20 9 Battery and assault 24 10 Confidentiality 26 11 Consent 28 12 Reproduction 34 13 Termination of pregnancy 37 14 Organ donation and transplantation 40 15 Mental health 43 16 Safeguarding children and adults 46 17 Public health 48 18 Allocation of resources 50 19 Clinical genetics 53 20 Human research 56 21 Care of older adults 58 22 End of life care 61 23 Health management 65 24 Primary care 68 Part II Communication 71 25 The importance of good communication 72 26 The patient-centred consultation 74 27 Building the relationship 75 28 Listening and questioning 76 29 Explanations 78 30 Explaining procedures 80 31 The computer in the consultation 81 32 Shared decision making 82 33 Communication of risk 84 34 Talking about lifestyle changes 86 35 Breaking bad news 88 36 Bad news: patients’ reactions 90 37 Dealing with anger and aggression 92 38 Talking about sex 94 39 Communicating across cultures 96 40 Communicating with people with disabilities 98 41 Communicating with colleagues 100 42 Professionalism 102 43 Feedback 104 44 Looking after yourself 106 45 Kindness 108 Index 109