A Closer Look at the Importance of Ethics in Health Care

Doing the right thing is often simple and clear. We find the medical problem and we do all we can to heal, to comfort, and make life better for our young patients and their families. But sometimes doing the right thing isn’t easy, simple or clear.

In addition to medical questions, families and caregivers sometimes have moral or ethical issues. These come up when it is not clear what is "right" – the question is what should be done, not what can be done. Most of the time, even hard questions are answered through open and honest talking between children, parents and their health care professionals. When we don't all agree, it can be useful to ask for help.

Jay Malone, MD, MS, PhD is here to let you know that in order to provide such help with some of these problems, the St. Louis Children's Hospital Medical Ethics Subcommittee can help.