An introduction to clinical ethics

By Finley R. Newton

Clinical ethics, or medical ethics, is a branch of moral principles that applies directly to the practice of medicine. Ethical values and judgements are not just applied to patients, but other medical staff, and can be practical as well as theoretical and philosophical. Moral values such as compassion, honesty, respect, trust and commitment all play an important part when practicing good, ethical medicine.

Many books written on health care express that there are four main principles to respect; autonomy (the rights of self-determination), non-maleficence (to first do no harm), beneficence (promote the well-being of others) and fairness. However, some of those practicing medicine have found that these principles do not always transfer across to the reality of clinical settings.

Instead, health care book Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine has identified a slightly different set of four principles - medical indications, patient preferences, quality of life and contextual features - which is explained by: "Although the facts of each case differ, these four topics are always relevant."

Whichever set of morals a medical professional chooses to use, whether it is one of these two or a different set altogether, they always have to deal with the same types of ethical concerns and issues on a day-to-day basis. These clinical ethics may include confidentiality, euthanasia, conflicts of interest, informed consent, communication or cultural concerns, each of which requires the medical professional to answer them with the ultimate goal of what is best for the patient.

Of course clinical ethics is also about the medical professionals as well, not just the patient. Again, staff may have to find moral solutions and answers to such questions as when to report a colleague's error. But whatever ethical issues medical staff have to face, they must find solutions which fit in with the social, legal, economic and administrative context in which the case occurs.

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Religious Affiliation And A Huge Budget - Neither Is Important For Making Successful Funeral Arrangements

By Winston Dunbar

People look for information on funeral arrangements under three basic situations:|People usually require information on funeral arrangements under three basic situations:

Somebody has already passed away: Under such circumstances one has to take instant decisions; Quite understandably, the arrangements may lack the fineness that one expects under such conditions.

Somebody is terminally ill and is about to die: It may sound little insensitive; but arranging funerals is a complicated affair and so anybody sensible should start looking for suitable plans while there is still time.

Those who prefer to make pre need arrangements: Many people prefer this. Along with estate planning people also buy preneed funeral plans so that the survivors will not have much to bother about.

Now, if it indeed is the first case, where the person has already died, your first duty should be to contact a funeral home and complete all legal formalities. At the same time, if you have a reliable home at your side, you will not have much to worry about; they generally take care of all these matters. In fact, the staffs there are trained in every aspect of death care; all you will be required to do is to convey your preference and choose the correct plan; they will execute it perfectly.

Choosing a reliable funeral home is very importance and if possible have one earmarked long before the death has actually taken place. Somebody in your circle should be able to refer you one. Otherwise, you can search the internet for that. However, in the later case, you need to go through the testimonials before signing any contact with them. Then you will have to talk to the funeral home director and get the price list.

Know that the homes generally offer different types of services and merchandises; this allows you to choose one that suits not only your budget, but also your taste. However, there is a basic charge that you cannot refuse and it includes: * Services of the funeral home director and the staffs * Availability of equipments that may be necessary * Securing necessary authorizations such as filing the death certificate and getting permits * Arranging conferences pertaining to the funeral * The cost of direct burial ( including the graveside charges) or cremation

The last one may confuse you a little. When a dead body is disposed directly without going through stages such as embalmment, viewing and memorial services, we call it direct burial or direct cremation. However, most people prefer to go through all the prescribed rites. In such a case, one has to pay extra for the services rendered. At the same time, it is always advisable to go through the entire ceremony because the rituals have evolved over the time keeping the need for closure in mind.

When a loved one dies; the survivors often find it very difficult to accept the loss. However, if they go through the entire ceremony, they may find it easier to deal with the fact that, no amount of grieving will bring the departed back and one just have to learn to live without them. Indeed, such a ceremony always starts one or two evenings before the actual funeral with viewing or visitation and ends with the final disposition. By the time the whole process ends, the mourners generally find themselves slightly more comfortable and in control of their grief.

To succeed, such a ceremony requires quite a lot of planning as well as leg-work and this is where the funeral homes can help you a lot. As mentioned already, they practically take care of every aspect of the ceremony. They file the death certificate, transfer the body from the place of death to funeral parlor, embalm the body and prepare it for visitation. Then again, if you hand out the list, they may call the relatives and friends or put paper notifications announcing the death. they will also help you with the church service if you want. They will then make the necessary preparations for final disposal, and move the body to the cemetery or crematorium as is your choice.

The important thing to be noted is the churches today have accepted cremation as a valid method of disposal of the corpse. Therefore you need not trouble yourself too much if you find burial bit too expensive for you. It does not require any religious affiliation or a huge budget to plan a meaningful memorial service. Successful funeral arrangements demand nothing but awareness of the emotional needs of the mourners. The funeral homes are there to take care of the rest.

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Article by Dunbar Winston of FuneralesReforma, who is a specialist in hispanic estate planning. For more information on preened funeral arrangements Guatemala and contratos funerarios Guatemala, visit his site today.