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How Ethical Is Our Current Delivery of Care to Patients with Severe and Complicated Obesity?
Date Issued
2018-07
Date Available
2019-03-25T11:46:22Z
Abstract
Despite overwhelming evidence that bariatric interventions reduce morbidity and mortality and are cost-effective, access for affected patients is limited. We sought to describe the extent to which health policy makers and publically funded health services have an ethical obligation to provide bariatric care. We conducted a narrative review of the literature pertaining to the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgical interventions, in the context of the core principles of medical ethics. We found that in relation to autonomy (i.e., the right to self-determination), beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice (i.e., the obligation to provide fair and equitable treatment to all patients), the current provision of bariatric surgical care fell short of meeting internationally recognized medical ethical standards. These findings have important implications for government policy and healthcare resource allocation. Respecting the individual’s right of self-determination, to do good, prevent harm, and provide equity in access to services is paramount, even when that individual is obese.
Type of Material
Journal Article
Publisher
Springer
Journal
Obesity Surgery
Volume
28
Issue
7
Start Page
2078
End Page
2082
Copyright (Published Version)
2018 the Authors
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0960-8923
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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How Ethical Is Our Current Delivery of Care to Patients with Severe and Complicated Obesity?.pdf
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372.37 KB
Format
Owning collection
Scopus© citations
14
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