Ethical issues in Australian hospitals.

McNeill, P M; Walters, J D; Webster, I W · Med J Aust · 1994

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most common ethical issues of concern in Australian hospitals. DESIGN: A descriptive study using data collected by means of a questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred and thirty-nine (74%) hospital administrators and employees nominated by hospital administrators in Australian public and private hospitals. RESULTS: Over half the respondents reported that ethical concerns had been raised in relation to: making "not for resuscitation orders"; the treatment of patients with HIV and AIDS; interprofessional conflict; and the allocation of resources. CONCLUSION: "End of life" concerns, patient autonomy issues, questions of resource distribution, and communication difficulties commonly raise ethical concerns in Australian hospitals.

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