Why effective consent presupposes autonomous authorisation: a counterorthodox argument

Risk disclosure after Montgomery: Where are we going?

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The new standard of disclosure following Montgomery v Lanarkshire is arguably more patient-centred but has introduced uncertainty

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In an increasingly litigious culture, we expect that the standard of disclosure will become even higher, contrary to the interests of patients.

Palliative Care for Interventional Radiology: An Oncologist's Perspective

Palliative care is an approach to care that seeks to improve the quality of life of patients and families facing problems due to life-threatening malignancies. Interventional radiology offers diagnostic, therapeutic, and palliative procedures that provide tangible benefits to oncology patients. A comprehensive evaluation and goals of care discussion will facilitate appropriate treatment recommendations from interventionalists. We describe a framework, with suggested questions for patients, which will enhance the level of communication between interventionalists and oncology patients.

Ethical issues related to BRCA gene testing in orthodox Jewish women

Persons exhibiting mutations in two tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have a greatly increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. The incidence of BRCA gene mutation is very high in Ashkenazi Jewish women of European descent, and many issues can arise, particularly for observant Orthodox women, because of their genetic status. Their obligations under the Jewish code of ethics, referred to as Jewish law, with respect to the acceptability of various risk-reducing strategies, may be poorly understood. In this article the moral direction that Jewish law gives to women regarding testing, confidentiality, and other issues is explored. The intent is to broaden nurses' knowledge of how a particular religious tradition could impact on decision making around genetics testing, with the aim of enhancing their understanding of culturally sensitive ethical care.

Legal and institutional fictions in medical ethics: a common, and yet largely overlooked, phenomenon

A theoretical platform for a much‐needed change in the provision of healthcare based on restoring the autonomy of doctor–patient relationships