Indian Journal of Medical Ethics

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https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/1371

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Financial toxicity and dialysis: Autonomy and truth-telling in resource-limited settings
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Kendal, E; Bhatt, R
From an ethical perspective, resource limitations provide a challenge for healthcare providers. Handling disclosure of the financial details of treatment options in a way that empowers patients, even in the face of extreme poverty, requires careful consideration of the personal preferences and motivations of each patient. This article will consider the high costs of dialysis for patients experiencing extreme poverty in light of various ethical principles, including informed consent and truth-telling. It will conclude that a graduated method of disclosing the physical and financial burdens of each treatment option is the best way forward, particularly for healthcare workers engaged in resource-limited settings.
To have done everything
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Looijaard, RA; Nortjé, N
When a patient loses decisional capacity, the responsibility to make treatment decisions often falls on a family member who becomes the surrogate decision-maker. This case study provides an example of a situation where the medical team and the surrogate decision-maker initially disagreed on the best course of action for the patient. The ethicist was called in to lead a guided conversation to help the team and the surrogate decision-maker reach a consensus. This case illustrates the importance of allowing the surrogate decision-maker to ask clarifying questions and process their emotions before making a decision.
Need for comprehensive language with respect to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in Indian healthcare
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Rangan, R
In spite of the Supreme Court’s recognition of transgender and LGBTQIA+ rights, there has been a negligent and insensitive attitude in India to the question of rendering respect to individuals of all sexual and gender identities. No framework for ensuring better protection from societal discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community has been drawn up; hence discrimination continues in society and in healthcare. This article aims to provide an understanding of the terms frequently encountered with the LGBTQIA+ population and orient healthcare professionals to be better equipped at using the correct terms in their everyday practice, as a step towards a more inclusive healthcare system.
What it means to be a patient: An introspection into doctor–patient communication
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Kapur, R; Sardesai, Sadat,
In this essay, we talk about the importance of the relationship between doctors and patients, and the need for patient-centric communication rather than that with a paternalistic approach. Training of a medical student should include communication skills besides technical training in healthcare. As patient care evolves, communication becomes more crucial; therefore, it is important to understand the repercussions of poor communication skills and how improvement in this vital area can be beneficial.
Reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability in India.
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Ganjekar, S; Moirangthem, S; Kumar, CN; Desai, G; Bada, Math S.
The reproductive rights of women with intellectual disability (WID) are a matter of concern for all stakeholders, including the woman herself, caregivers, guardians and her treating physicians. The judicial system often calls upon psychiatrists to opine regarding the “capacity to consent” of a WID to procedures such as medical termination of pregnancy and permanent sterilisation. Apart from physical and obstetric examinations, assessment of mental status and intelligence quotient (IQ) are also carried out to facilitate an understanding of the above issue. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, (RPwD) and the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, elucidate what constitutes free and informed consent as well as how to assess capacity. The assessment process of “capacity to consent” to reproductive system procedures among WID is important and can guide clinicians. Before assessing capacity, the treating physicians should educate a WID with appropriate information on the proposed procedure, its risks and benefits through various means of communication and then evaluate the “capacity to consent” to the procedure. This article summarises the provisions of the existing legislations on the reproductive rights of WID and puts forward guidance for clinicians on how to approach the issue.
The “Dravidian model”: egalitarianism and healthcare reform
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Kumbhar, K
Throughout the post-independence period, the state of Tamil Nadu has consistently performed better than most other states in several major healthcare indicators, including infant mortality rate and total fertility rate. At the same time, it has received praise for the deep penetration and robust functioning of its public health system. Tamil Nadu’s achievements in healthcare have been analysed in a number of scholarly studies in the past, and a recent book by Kalaiyarasan A and Vijayabaskar M, titled “The Dravidian Model: Interpreting the Political Economy of Tamil Nadu,” is the latest addition to this literature. The authors argue that the state’s uniqueness in human and social development primarily originates in the egalitarian politics and radical social movements of the early twentieth century which constituted a “Dravidian common-sense” that has since “shaped the development trajectory of the state.” Their arguments on the significance of egalitarian politics in improvements in health and wellbeing receive ample support from existing social sciences literature on health, equity, and justice.
Effectiveness of teaching medical ethics to medical students on an online platform: An analysis of students’ perceptions and feedback
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Govindraj, L; Santhosh, S; Sunish, SC; Gopalakrishnan, AV; Chandy, SJ; Oommen, V; M, Shanthi, FX
Medical ethics education along with attitude and communication training has been incorporated into the regular MBBS curriculum in India from 2019, so as to encourage a caring and communicative approach by doctors towards patients. It would be important to understand the relevance of the educational module in the form of cases to ensure an optimal learning process for future students and doctors in the making. We selected three cases and conducted online debates among small groups of second year MBBS students. Students submitted narratives and their reflections after discussing each case and gave overall feedback. Our findings suggested that the students recognised the complexity of taking decisions when presented with ethical dilemmas and appreciated the opportunity to voice opposing views. The online platform was effective and may be considered in the future as a medium to help integrate discussions on medical ethics alongside clinical work.
Confessions of an Ayurveda professor
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Patwardhan, K
In this essay, I narrate my experiences of teaching Ayurveda physiology through an approach that involved laborious re-interpretation of ancient literature using the recent advances in the field of medical physiology. Though this approach made the ancient concepts and theories appear modern and relevant, it did not contribute much except for apparently reducing cognitive dissonance among students. I cite examples describing the processes of formation of shukra (semen) and rakta (blood) to show how we often overinterpret Ayurveda concepts to make them sound rational by proposing ad hoc conjectures. I illustrate why my previous writings were faulty by applying the falsification principle proposed by Karl Popper. I further explain how this approach made these concepts only verifiable but not refutable, and hence, non-falsifiable. I argue that instead of using such re-interpretation to prove obsolete concepts, they can be dropped altogether from the curricula of Ayurveda programmes. There is a need to develop a reliable method to identify such outdated content.
Delivering care with competence on the Covid-19 frontline
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Jindal, M.
By replacing bedside clinical training with online lectures and simulation-based case scenarios, the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the healthcare and medical education system of India. The compromise in clinical competency, patient interaction, coping strategies, and lack of resources and preparedness were the major constraints in delivering quality healthcare services during the pandemic. The pandemic taught us key lessons on empathy, preparedness and patience. Here is my experience as a student from the batch of MBBS students who had received their final year training through online lectures and then, as an intern having my first hospital posting amidst the second wave of Covid-19.
Learning to switch gears — Steering palliative care into emergency medicine
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Bhat, R; Ramaswami, A; Aggarwal, P
Emergency care is largely seen as synonymous with resuscitation and saving lives. In most of the developing world where Emergency Medicine (EM) is still evolving, the concept of EM palliative care is alien. Provision of palliative care in such settings poses its own challenges in terms of knowledge gaps, socio-cultural barriers, dismal doctor-to-patient ratio with limited time for communication with patients, and lack of established pathways to provide EM palliative care. Integrating the concept of palliative medicine is crucial for expanding the dimension of holistic, value-based, quality emergency care. However, glitches in decision-making processes, especially in high patient volume settings, may lead to inequalities in care provision, based on socio-financial disparities of patients or premature termination of challenging resuscitations. Pertinent, robust, validated screening tools and guides may assist physicians in tackling this ethical dilemma.
Medico-legal autopsies after sunset: Ethical issues
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Yadukul, S; Parmar, P; Mada, P; Reddy, D
From the British era, regular medico-legal autopsies have never been done in India after sunset, except for those specially permitted by the law enforcement agencies. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, issued a notification on November 15, 2021, regarding the “Conduct of post-mortem in hospitals after sunset”. This has given rise to much debate on whether post-mortems can be conducted after sunset in an ethical manner. Here, we briefly discuss the various issues related to the carrying out of post-mortems after sunset in India.
Entering the “Field”: Challenges of conducting fieldwork in an infertility clinic
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Patel, R
Carrying out fieldwork in private infertility clinics poses its own specific set of challenges. Gaining access to these field sites not only obliges researchers to negotiate with gatekeepers but also to deal with structures of hierarchy and power. Based on my preliminary fieldwork in Lucknow city of Uttar Pradesh, I discuss the challenges of conducting fieldwork in infertility clinics and how methodological challenges push the researcher to question the academically established notions of the “field”, “fieldwork” and “research ethics”. The paper stresses the importance of discussing the challenges of doing fieldwork in private health setups and is an attempt to answer vital questions about the nature of fieldwork, how the fieldwork was conducted, and the need to include questions and dilemmas that anthropologists might face in the process of making decisions in the field.
Barriers and facilitators of professional autonomy of clinical nurses in Iran: A qualitative study
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-03) Rouhi, Balasi, L; Elahi, N; Ebadi, A; Hazrati, M; Jahani, S
Religious, economic, political, social, and cultural factors influence professional autonomy in nursing, and differ from country to country. The aim of this study was to explain barriers and facilitators of professional autonomy in the experience of clinical nurses. This qualitative study was conducted on 19 clinical nurses and nursing managers selected based on purposive sampling from January 2018 to December 2019. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which continued until data saturation was reached. Conventional content analysis based on the Graneheim and Lundman approach was used to analyse the data. Data were categorised into 34 subcategories, 8 main categories, and two main themes, which were titled as facilitators of professional autonomy (professional, organisational, and individual factors, and effective communication) and barriers to professional autonomy (professional, organisational, and personal barriers, and inappropriate communications). The results discussed a set of facilitators and barriers faced by Iranian nurses in clinical settings. Professional organisations can play a key role by enhancing professional autonomy facilitators and increasing professional support for nurses. Another finding was the importance of training nursing staff to be competent and autonomous, beginning right from the college years.
Public healthcare (in)accessibility for TB patients: a slum's-eye view
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Delaney, C; Delaney, T.
The government healthcare system unintentionally excludes the destitute in several ways. In this article, a “slum’s-eye” perspective on the public healthcare system is offered through reflections on stories of tuberculosis patients in urban poor neighbourhoods. We hope these stories contribute to discourse on how to strengthen the public healthcare system and make it more accessible for all, especially the poor.
Are doctors allowed to cry at work?
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Arun, Babu, T
This article recounts a poignant interaction between the author and a mother of a child with cerebral palsy. The mother's remarkable strength and optimism in the face of adversity deeply moved the author, leading to a tearful moment which prompted a comforting response from the mother. The ongoing debate regarding whether doctors are allowed to display emotions in their professional lives centers around the challenge of balancing professionalism with the emotional impact of providing healthcare to patients. While doctors are expected to uphold professionalism and make sound decisions in their work environment, simultaneous expression of emotions, empathy, and vulnerabilities becomes inevitable.
On conducting a study among institutionalised adolescents in Kerala, India: legal and ethical challenges
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Sumitha, TS; Varma, RP.
We report the dilemmas faced by the investigators while conducting a study on the social and environmental factors for protection of the mental health of adolescents placed under State protection in Kerala, India. The proposal received counsel and directives from the Integrated Child Protection Scheme authorities, under the Social Justice Department of Kerala state and the Institutional Ethics Committee of the host institution. The investigator faced and had to reconcile conflicting directives and antithetical field realities, with respect to seeking informed consent from the study participants. The physical act of adolescents signing the consent form, rather than the actual process of assent, received disproportionately more scrutiny. The authorities also questioned the privacy and confidentiality requirements raised by the researchers. Of the 248 eligible adolescents, 26 chose to dissent from participating in the study, demonstrating that choices would be made if they are offered. There is a need for more discourse on achieving steadfast adherence to the principles of informed consent, particularly in research on vulnerable groups such as institutionalised children.
The Covid-19 effect on medical students’ perceptions of their profession: A mixed methods study from South India
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Vaz, M; Sumithra, S; Ravindra, R; Chandran, S; Ramachandra, S; Timms, O
Covid-19 has devastated human lives and stretched the limits of the medical profession and health systems. Using the mixed methods of online survey and online focus group discussions, we assessed how medical students and interns of two medical colleges in South India viewed the profession they had chosen. Of the 900 participants, 571(63.4%) had a positive perception of the medical profession, 77(8.6%) a negative perception and 252(28%) were undecided. The year of study in medical school was significantly associated with their perception of the medical profession, with interns more likely to have a negative perception (p<0.001). An overwhelming 823(91.4%) participants remained confident of their career choice, but a higher proportion of interns were less confident or regretful about their choice of profession compared to first to fourth year students (p<0.001). Most participants experienced moral distress; they acknowledged a duty to care but were troubled by personal risk, inadequate protection, and limited resources. Gaps were identified in medical and ethics training particularly regarding uncertainties and coping with deficiencies of the health system as encountered in the pandemic. The essential role played by doctors with its required competence, care and ethics cannot be assumed or expected without investment in the making of the future doctor through more socially embedded medical education imparting the skills of understanding the public, responding to them and being the advocate for their equitable and optimal care. An ethics of responsiveness emerges as important for healthcare, also for medical education in preparation for future health crises.
Medical ethics teaching in the new undergraduate physiology competency-based curriculum in medical institutions in Delhi: A pilot, feasibility study
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Singh, S; Solanki, M; Vaney, N; Bhan, A
Background: Medical ethics teaching has received little attention in India's undergraduate medical curriculum, so the National Medical Commission’s formal inclusion of medical ethics in the new competency-based curriculum (CBME) is creditable. However, the policymakers have left out the most crucial stakeholders — the teachers. This study was conducted to find out how physiology educators in Delhi felt about the implementation of ethics teaching in physiology in the CBME. Methods: This was a pilot, cross-sectional, observational, feasibility study conducted using a questionnaire, involving faculty and senior residents (post-MD) in the departments of Physiology at nine medical colleges in Delhi, conducted over the period from February to October 2020. Results: The response rate was 76% (60/79), of which 40% (24/60) were senior residents and 60 (36/60) were faculty. Around 55% (n=33) felt bioethics and clinical ethics are not synonymous; 53% (n=32) believed ethics education can be accomplished in a large group setting; 75% (n=45) believed it should be the responsibility of the physiology faculty, rather than the clinical faculty, and 61.7% (n=37) wanted it to be included in the formative assessment. The respondents shared ethical concerns that should be included in the physiology curriculum and the best candidates to teach them to achieve integration. Despite the challenges, the majority 65% (n=39) felt ethics in the physiology CBME should be an inseparable part of teaching in all instructional modalities. Conclusion: Early clinical exposure was considered preferable to the Attitude, Ethics, and Communication (AETCOM) programme. Using the five W’s and one H method, we talk about how our findings can be used as a road map to help physiologists teach ethics to medical students in the new CBME.
‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ scheme in Tamil Nadu: an intersectionality-based analysis of access to NCD care.
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Thiagesan, R; Soundari, H; Kalpana, B; Gopichandran, V.
There are gross inequities in access to non-communicable disease (NCD) care in India. The Indian state of Tamil Nadu recently launched the “Medicine at people’s doorstep” (Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam — MTM) scheme in which screening and medications for NCDs are delivered at people’s doorsteps. This is likely to improve geographical access to NCD services in the community. The objective of this study is to analyse the MTM scheme and recommend policy interventions for improved and equitable access to NCD services in the community. We analysed the MTM policy document using the intersectionality-based policy analysis framework. This analysis was supplemented further with literature review to enhance understanding of the various intersecting axes of inequities, such as gender discrimination, caste oppression, poverty, disabilities and geographical access barriers. The MTM policy document, while it removes the physical access barrier, does not frame the problem of NCDs from an intersectionality perspective. This can increase the chances of inequities in access to NCD services persisting despite this scheme. We also recommend interventions for the short, intermediate and long term to make NCD care more accessible. Creation of a gender, caste, class, geographical access, and disabilities disaggregated database of patients with NCDs, using this database for monitoring the delivery of MTM services, dynamic mapping of vulnerability of the target populations for delivery of MTM services and long term ongoing digital surveillance of factors inducing inequities to access of NCD services can all help reduce inequities in access to NCD care.
Restoring the human element to medicine
(FORUM FOR MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY, 2023-09) Gopichandran, V
Dr Thirunavukkarasu Arun Babu has written a very important and interesting reflection titled “Are doctors allowed to cry at work?” published online first in this journal on June 2, 2023 [1]. Reading this reflection brought back personal memories of several situations where I have struggled with my emotions while caring for patients. Having engaged with this very same question in the past, I would like to both agree with his perspective and share my thoughts on restoring the human element to the uncontrolled commercialism and dehumanisation in the field of medicine.

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