1. Ethics Risk Assessment and Strategy

    Running an organization means taking ethical risks. They may arise from the products and services you offer, the internal processes you employ, or the…

  2. How should a treatment team respond to the aggressive requests of a patient’s substitute decision-making?

    Healthcare providers often deal with substitute decision-makers (SDM) who make unreasonable or uninformed requests. Sometimes these are for tests or scans that aren’t indicated….

  3. Should a genetic counselor disclose a significant finding to his patient?

    An elderly patient lost his sight due to a hereditary condition. When the condition was diagnosed, a genetic counselor became involved. Among other things,…

  4. What is the appropriate plan of care for this seriously ill patient?

    An elderly patient was unconscious in an ICU. According to the treatment team, her prognosis was poor. Most jurisdictions have a legal hierarchy for…

  5. How can a therapist in a small community avoid conflicts of interest?

    Therapists in small communities often have requests by community members for treatment, but the therapist is already treating one of the prospective patient’s family…

  6. Is tubal ligation ethically appropriate for a patient with a public guardian?

    A mid-twenties patient has fetal alcohol syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and intellectual disability. She has tried various forms of birth control and has found them…

  7. What is the appropriate plan of care for this seriously ill patient?

    An elderly patient was unconscious in an ICU. According to the treatment team, her prognosis was poor. Most jurisdictions have a legal hierarchy for…

  8. Are You Trustworthy?

    In this short post, I’m going to do three things. First, I’m going to offer you a good piece of philosophical advice. Then I’m…

  9. Burton Shreds Right and Wrong

    Every day, I advise senior leadership of Fortune 500 companies on issues of ethical risk. Sometimes, my colleagues and I have to spend a…

  10. So You Say You Want a Boycott

    When people see brands doing something they regard as unethical, the boycott is a strong tactic they can use to push back. But what…