Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1787

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Bennett WM.
Ethical conflicts for physicians treating ESRD patients.
Semin Dial 2004 Jan-Feb; 17:(1):1-3
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1525-139X.2004.17102.x?cookieSet=1

Abstract:

Managing an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient is complex and presents many ethical challenges for the physician. Ownership of dialysis facilities has shifted over the past decade from largely nonprofit organizations to large companies whose shareholders are primarily interested in the profitability of their investments rather than the well-being of the patients being treated. Furthermore, market forces rather than scientific questions that need to be answered now drive much of the research regarding patients with ESRD. These developments have created ethical dilemmas for treating physicians. This editorial describes some of these ethical challenges and expresses the point of view that the doctor-patient relationship and its ethical imperatives are more important than company profit and loss statements.

Keywords:
Biomedical Research Drug Industry Ethics, Clinical* Humans Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy* United States