Do we need research ethics committees?

Do we need research ethics committees?

This issue of the journal sees a number of exchanges on significant ethical problems. ‘Nudges’ have attracted a good deal of attention recently in the context of the ethics of public health interventions. Martin Wilkinson (see page 486) writes a guest editorial introducing important debate on Yashar Saghai’s featured article, Salvaging the concept of nudge (see page 487, Editor’s choice). Also,...

Paediatrics at the cutting edge: do we need clinical ethics committees?

OBJECTIVES To investigate the need for hospital clinical ethics committees by studying the frequency with which ethical dilemmas arose, the perceived adequacy of the process of their resolution, and the teaching and training of staff in medical ethics. DESIGN Interviews with individuals and three multidisciplinary teams; questionnaire to randomly selected individuals. SETTING Two major Lond...

Evaluating ethics committees: what do we mean by success?

Ramadan fasting: Do we need more evidence?

Over a billion of Muslims fast worldwide during Ramadan each year. Through this religious custom, fasting contributes to their health as well as their spiritual growth. However, available evidence regarding the health-benefits of Ramadan fasting is scarce and highly contentious. Although Islam exempts patients from fasting, many fast conceivably, and their clinical condition is prone to deterio...

Staff Burnout… Do we need any intervention?

Dear Editor, As you know physical and mental wellness of physicians and nurses, as the main role in the treatment of patients, in conditions such as burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, and poor work-life balance, is one of the top priorities in the U.S.A. National Academy of Medicine  (1-4). Although healthcare team members are generally known as a caregiver to others;  their h...