In order to provide the highest level of care to patients and clients, health professionals need a sound knowledge and understanding of healthcare ethics. Foundations of Healthcare Ethics: Theory to Practice focuses on the philosophical concepts underpinning contemporary ethical discourse for health professionals, and arms both students and professionals with the knowledge to tackle situations of moral uncertainty in clinical practice. Specially written to provide an in-depth study into the theoretical foundations of healthcare ethics, it covers a range of normative ethical theories, from virtue ethics to utilitarianism, while also investigating their application to contemporary issues in health care and society. It provides opportunities for self-directed learning, and presents questions and case studies to facilitate engagement and discussion. Foundations of Healthcare Ethics provides both students and professionals with an understanding of the philosophy governing healthcare ethics in order to help provide a better level of care to patients and clients.

Provides theoretical foundations that influence discourse on controversial issues in healthcare ethics
Explores the ethical foundations of healthcare practice
Provides opportunities for self-directed learning, and presents questions and case studies to facilitate engagement and discussion

Table of Contents

1. Why study healthcare ethics? Patrick McArdle and Jo Grainger
2. Ethical theories John Ozolins
3. Ethical principalism John Ozolins
4. Personhood and human dignity David G. Kirchhoffer
5. Empathy and care John Ozolins
6. Health care and virtue John Ozolins
7. Rationality in utilitarian thought John Ozolins
8. Natural law and the sanctity of human life John Ozolins
9. Obligations, duties and rights John Ozolins
10. A historical analysis of feminism and an application to contemporary healthcare ethics Jo Grainger
11. Conscience and health professionals Brigid McKenna
12. The discourse of human rights at the beginning of and end of life Frank Brennan
13. When does human life begin? A theological, philosophical and scientific analysis Norman Ford and Jo Grainger
14. Autonomy and consent John Ozolins
15. The 'dead donor rule' and organ donation Brigid McKenna
16. Just care at the end of life Bernadette Tobin.