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Showing 6 results for Ethical Considerations

Mehdi Basouli , Seedeh Derakhsh,
Volume 14, Issue 0 (3-2021)
Abstract

In recent decades, on the one hand, we have faced atmospheric phenomena and environmental changes, and on the other hand, with the emergence of new diseases called emerging diseases. Managing emerging diseases requires an ethical approach to control and care for them. Ethical problems raising from new diagnostic and therapeutic advances in medical science have increased the need to address medical ethics. One of these emerging diseases of the present century, which is faced by almost the whole world and its problems, is coronavirus (COVID-19). The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing attention of medical staff towards ethical considerations in the care of patients with COVID-19. In this study, in addition to the use of articles published in English related to this disease from late 2019 to early 2020, as well as using national researches by different research groups, different dimensions of the disease is reviewed; Interviews were conducted with the COVID-19 recovered patients who were hospitalized in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd Province from the beginning of February 2020 to the end of October 2020. Studies showed the need to put ethical considerations in the care of patients with COVID-19 by training health care providers about professional ethics and medical ethics in the pandemic of the virus in order to optimally manage the disease

Mohammad Shojaeinia ,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a transformative and innovative approach in healthcare with the potential to revolutionize diagnostic, therapeutic, administrative, educational, research, and managerial processes. Given that AI systems influence reasoning, decision-making, and the delivery of care, their implementation faces challenges, particularly ethical considerations rooted in the unique nature of the healthcare system—where patient welfare, trust, and the autonomy of healthcare providers hold paramount importance. This study adopts a qualitative approach. Various information sources, including journals, articles, and publications, were reviewed. The applications of AI in clinical environments and its impact on individuals' interactions with healthcare systems, decision-making processes, and clinical workflows were analyzed, and relevant ethical considerations were extracted. The results indicate that the integration of AI in healthcare, despite its extensive benefits in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, prediction, decision-making, process automation, medication and therapeutic recommendations, surgical guidance, personalized medicine, telemedicine systems, and numerous other applications, is accompanied by a set of ethical considerations. Addressing these considerations is crucial to ensure the responsible and equitable use of these technologies. These include concerns related to patient privacy and data security, biases in AI systems, transparency, explainability, interpretability, accountability, informed consent, impacts on the relationships between healthcare providers and patients, equitable access to AI benefits, the appropriate and judicious use of technology, ethical use of automation, preservation of human dignity, effective oversight and regulation, legal and legislative issues, and long-term implications such as preventing misuse of predictive data by insurers or employers, among other patient rights-related issues. The utilization of AI in healthcare necessitates the development of ethical and legal frameworks that balance technological innovation with the humanistic principles underpinning healthcare systems. This ensures that while leveraging the advantages of AI, privacy, justice, equity, and human dignity are safeguarded. Emphasis on continuous monitoring and aligning AI-based systems with human values can foster trust in these technologies, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and adheres to ethical standards, ultimately serving to enhance public health outcomes responsibly and equitably.

Jalal Saeidpour, Alireza Hajizadeh,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract

As one of the countries with the fastest growing aging population, it is predicted that more than 20% of the Iran’s total population will be elderly in 2040. It is important to address ethical considerations in providing healthcare services to aged population. This study aimed to review the evidence related to ethical considerations in providing healthcare services to the elderly in Iran.  This study was a scoping review conducted using the six-step protocol of Arksey and O’Malley. The English-language, Persian-language databases and Google Scholar, were searched without time limitation. After selecting studies and extraction the data, the narrative analysis was used to analyze the data. Providing comprehensive healthcare including, preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation services to the elderly needs to be based on humane-Islamic principles and values ​​accepted by society. The most important ethical considerations required are: Maintaining the dignity and eminence of the elderly in all situations, considering ethics in communication with the elderly, ensuring autonomy and independence of the elderly in relevant decision-making, paying attention to the principles of justice and benefit in healthcare interventions, empathy and cheerfulness among healthcare providers, ensuring confidentiality and privacy and protecting information, paying attention to privacy, obtaining informed consent in healthcare centers, paying attention to religious and Islamic rules in caring for the elderly, the responsibility of government and non-government institutions in preventing stigma and discrimination against the elderly, carrying out timely and ethically-based care actions, healthcare providers' adherence to teamwork and scientific and professional behaviors, supporting the elderly as a vulnerable population group in prioritizing health services, preventing conflicts of interest in elderly care, and using safe, affordable, reliable, and evidence-based healthcare services for the elderly. It is necessary to pay attention to the ethical considerations identified in this study in providing healthcare services to the elderly. So, it is recommended that policymakers, managers, and healthcare providers take actions at the levels of the ministry of health, medical universities, and healthcare centers providing services to the elderly to promote humane-Islamic principles and values.

Kobra Joodaki,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract

Women play a central role in human reproduction, with the continuation of the human race relying on their pregnancies. When women contribute to this vital social function for the survival of humankind, society has a moral obligation to safeguard their health. While healthcare interventions benefit the fetus, the fetus is entirely dependent on the mother, and any treatment must occur through her body. Consequently, the best strategy for improving fetal health lies in enhancing the care and support provided to pregnant women. The current state of population dynamics, associated challenges, and the introduction of general population policies led to the formulation and enactment of the "Supporting Families and Population Rejuvenation Law." This legislation aims to address many—though not all—of the challenges related to population growth and childbearing. The efforts to combat population aging and meet demographic needs are laudable, and the law includes several economic incentives to encourage childbearing. However, financial incentives alone are insufficient to address the complex reasons behind individuals' unwillingness to have children. Cultural, social, and political factors also play significant roles, and these are addressed to some extent within the law. Notably, specific provisions focus on supporting infertile couples, assisting pregnant women, and offering solutions to address illegal abortions. Regrettably, during the drafting of these provisions, the expert opinions of relevant scientific associations were overlooked. As a result, numerous ethical and scientific challenges have emerged in the implementation of the law, leading to deviations from its intended objectives. In particular, certain sections fail to adequately protect the fundamental rights of pregnant women. This article aims to analyze these challenges and propose solutions grounded in the principles of medical ethics.

Rasool Esmalipour, Narges Dastmalchi , Khalil Hajiasgharzadeh,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract

Stem cell technology and regenerative medicine are interdisciplinary fields that integrate engineering, molecular and cellular biology, and medical science to repair tissues and treat diseases using stem cell-based methods. The primary goal of this scientific field is to enhance the quality of life by replacing damaged cells and tissues with healthy ones, thereby improving injuries and disabilities. With recent advances in biomedical science and the unique potential of stem cells in treating diseases, ethical considerations surrounding this technology have become increasingly significant. Following a brief introduction to stem cell technology, this review explores ethical challenges, including the justifications for using stem cells, informed consent from patients, preservation of human dignity, and the social and cultural impacts associated with their application. As research in this field continues to expand, yielding numerous innovative findings and attracting growing interest from researchers, there has also been an increase in unproven commercial treatments that have not undergone necessary regulatory stages. The direct marketing of products in preclinical stages to consumers further underscores the importance of ethical considerations in the use of stem cells. Additionally, the unprincipled use of stem cells may lead to adverse effects, such as cancer or vascular diseases, exacerbating patients' conditions rather than improving them. The findings of this review emphasize the need to adapt existing laws and regulations to address ethical concerns and provide recommendations for enhancing ethical standards in clinical research involving stem cells. The results can serve as a guide for researchers and policymakers in addressing ethical challenges in stem cell research, ultimately improving the quality and safety of clinical research in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.

Fatemeh Roudi, Hedayat Jafari, Mohammadreza Jalilfar, Seyed Mohammad Mirshafiei, Seyed Tohid Hoseini, Soodabeh Eslami,
Volume 17, Issue 0 (12-2024)
Abstract

Nurses are critical healthcare providers during global crises, particularly in situations of armed conflict and war, where they face unique and often overwhelming ethical challenges. These professionals are tasked with making immediate and difficult decisions under extreme conditions. This study aims to thoroughly examine the ethical challenges encountered by nurses during global crises, with a particular focus on armed conflicts and wars. This systematic review analyzed articles sourced from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Magiran, and Google Scholar databases, using the following search terms: "nursing ethics," "war," "global crises," "ethical considerations in nursing during war," and "nursing ethics in armed conflicts." Following a thorough review and filtering process based on the study's objectives, seven articles were selected for inclusion. The findings highlight several ethical challenges faced by nurses during wartime. These challenges include: allocating limited resources under dire circumstances, providing care to both combatants and civilians without bias, maintaining patient confidentiality while cooperating with military authorities, and delivering care in hazardous and unpredictable environments. The ethical issues nurses encounter in global crises, particularly in war, include: 1) the tension between professional duty and political or military affiliations, 2) the ethical dilemma of allocating scarce resources in critical conditions, 3) the decision of which patients should be prioritized for treatment, and 4) the significant risks to life involved in providing care in conflict zones. Nursing care during global crises, especially in wartime, presents profound ethical dilemmas that demand rapid and sound decision-making. Adequate training in nursing ethics tailored to wartime conditions, as well as robust support for nurses in these high-pressure environments, are critical to addressing these challenges effectively.


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