Easier Said Than Done: Moral Decisions in Medical Uncertainty

Abstract

The premise of Easier Said Than Done: Moral Decisions in Medical Uncertainty is that clinicians can make ethical decisions by balancing nonmaleficence, autonomy, the common good, and beneficence. a working knowledge of principles of ethical behavior improve the decision-making process in clinical Milton Heifetz' book provides a theoretical foundation of medical ethics and an approach to several difficult moral dilemmas in clinical medicine. He suggests that physicians employ formal ethical reasoning in clinical situations, balancing the impact a decision has on various ethical dilemmas. Will a working knowledge of principles of ethical behavior improve the decision-making process in clinical medicine? The first chapter of the book considers the development of basic principles of ethics. Although somewhat pedantic, the chapter is comprehensive and considers religious, biological, and intellectual origins of human moral behavior. The book does pick up some needed speed as the next several chapters address an array