1
BOOK REVIEWS The Ethics of Surgical Practice: Cases, Dilemmas, and Resolutions, 1st Edition Authors: Jones, James W, MD, PhD; McCullough, Lau- rence B, PhD; Richman, Bruce W, MA. Bibliographic Data: Oxford University Press, Inc, 2008, $24.95 ISBN: 978-0-19-532109-8, 340 pages, soft cover. ISBN-10: 019532109X. Description: This is a collection of 71 surgical ethics cases originally published in varying forms in surgical journals. The book begins with a brief introduction to ethics and virtues and continues with seven chapters that cover a range of ethical issues, including informed consent, research, conflicts of interest, business ethics, professionalism, and end of life issues. Each chapter opens with an introduction, followed by a case presentation, and ends with a consider- ation of four possible resolutions. Purpose: The authors seek to stimulate ongoing discussion rather than artificial theoretical reflection on the usual cases. Additionally, the authors hope to assist readers in reorienting their ethical sensibilities to be preventive rather than reactive. Audience: As the title indicates, this book is intended for an audience of surgeons, fellows, residents, and medical students. It will be a useful teaching/learning tool for those engaged in surgery or those who encounter surgeons in their daily practice and wonder what ethics and virtues are guiding their discernment process. Features: Perhaps the strongest feature of the book is its use of the virtues and understanding of professionalism in conjunction with the authors’ “informal style intended to stimulate discussion.” This combination allows the authors to take a candid look at what might be an attractive means of resolving a case, but a means that falls short of the pro- fessional responsibilities and ethical tradition of surgeons. An additional strength is the inclusion of excellent ref- erences for each case, allowing further study on a partic- ular topic. Though the informal approach and broad scope are strengths of the book, they also lead to one of its primary weaknesses. The rapidity with which some of the possible resolutions are dispatched or favored and the resulting justifications often leave one wanting more discussion, explanation, or exploration of the issues. An additional weakness of this collection is its failure to address in a substantive way the ethical conflicts which might arise between surgeons and other members of the healthcare team, such as nurses. Assessment: This book is a needed addition to the growing body of work focused on a particular specialty in healthcare. It will be an invaluable tool for surgeons and those involved in the formation of future surgeons, not only as technicians, but as those charged with up- holding the virtues which engender the trust of their patients. For those wishing for a deeper exploration of the virtues invoked in the cases presented here, Pelle- grino and Thomasma’s The Virtues in Medical Practice (Oxford University Press, 1993) would be a good com- panion text. Score: Weighted Numerical Score: 98 Reviewed by: Birgitta Mackiewicz, MA (St. Louis Uni- versity Center for Health Care Ethics) Prognostic an Predictive Factors in Gynecologic Cancers, 1st Edition Editors: Levenback, Charles F, MD; Sood, Anil K, MD; Lu, Karen H, MD; Coleman, Robert L, MD. Bibliographic Data: Informa Healthcare/Taylor & Fran- cis, 2007, $244.95 ISBN: 978-0-415-39172-6, 344 pages, hard cover. ISBN-10: 0415391725. Description: This book describes the prognostic factors associated with gynecologic malignancies, incorporating the current clinical features with newer molecular identifi- ers as well as those associate with newer imaging technolo- gies. This comprehensive and well written book is the first to focus on this issue and is a needed addition to the field of gynecologic oncology. Purpose: The purpose is to comprehensively compile prognostic data that has emerged relating to gynecologic cancers. Clinical, molecular, and imaging data has accumu- lated as our technologic ability has increased. This compi- lation is truly necessary if we are to continue to make im- provements in the management of women with these cancers. The objectives are met well in book written by world authorities in these diseases. Audience: It is intended for all who are interested in wo- men’s cancers, including students, residents, fellows, basic scientists, and clinicians. The authors are all authorities in this field. Features: This well written and thorough book compre- hensively collates the data available to date on gynecologic cancers. It is a complete and thoughtful compilation of clinical, molecular, and imaging data on these cancers and is structured in manner that is efficient and easy to understand. Assessment: This is an excellent reference on this dis- ease. It is a must read for those interested in gynecologic malignancies. e1 © 2008 by the American College of Surgeons ISSN 1072-7515/09/$36.00 Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2008.09.013

The Ethics of Surgical Practice: Cases, Dilemmas, and Resolutions, 1st Edition

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Page 1: The Ethics of Surgical Practice: Cases, Dilemmas, and Resolutions, 1st Edition

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he Ethics of Surgical Practice:ases, Dilemmas, and Resolutions,st Editionuthors: Jones, James W, MD, PhD; McCullough, Lau-

ence B, PhD; Richman, Bruce W, MA.

ibliographic Data: Oxford University Press, Inc, 2008,24.95 ISBN: 978-0-19-532109-8, 340 pages, soft cover.SBN-10: 019532109X.

escription: This is a collection of 71 surgical ethics casesriginally published in varying forms in surgical journals.he book begins with a brief introduction to ethics andirtues and continues with seven chapters that cover a rangef ethical issues, including informed consent, research,onflicts of interest, business ethics, professionalism, andnd of life issues. Each chapter opens with an introduction,ollowed by a case presentation, and ends with a consider-tion of four possible resolutions.

urpose: The authors seek to stimulate ongoing discussionather than artificial theoretical reflection on the usual cases.dditionally, the authors hope to assist readers in reorienting

heir ethical sensibilities to be preventive rather than reactive.

udience: As the title indicates, this book is intended forn audience of surgeons, fellows, residents, and medicaltudents. It will be a useful teaching/learning tool for thosengaged in surgery or those who encounter surgeons inheir daily practice and wonder what ethics and virtues areuiding their discernment process.

eatures: Perhaps the strongest feature of the book is itsse of the virtues and understanding of professionalism inonjunction with the authors’ “informal style intended totimulate discussion.” This combination allows the authorso take a candid look at what might be an attractive meansf resolving a case, but a means that falls short of the pro-essional responsibilities and ethical tradition of surgeons.n additional strength is the inclusion of excellent ref-rences for each case, allowing further study on a partic-lar topic. Though the informal approach and broadcope are strengths of the book, they also lead to one ofts primary weaknesses. The rapidity with which some ofhe possible resolutions are dispatched or favored andhe resulting justifications often leave one wanting moreiscussion, explanation, or exploration of the issues. Andditional weakness of this collection is its failure toddress in a substantive way the ethical conflicts whichight arise between surgeons and other members of the

ealthcare team, such as nurses.

ssessment: This book is a needed addition to the

rowing body of work focused on a particular specialty m

e12008 by the American College of Surgeons

ublished by Elsevier Inc.

n healthcare. It will be an invaluable tool for surgeonsnd those involved in the formation of future surgeons,ot only as technicians, but as those charged with up-olding the virtues which engender the trust of theiratients. For those wishing for a deeper exploration ofhe virtues invoked in the cases presented here, Pelle-rino and Thomasma’s The Virtues in Medical PracticeOxford University Press, 1993) would be a good com-anion text.

core: Weighted Numerical Score: 98

eviewed by: Birgitta Mackiewicz, MA (St. Louis Uni-ersity Center for Health Care Ethics)

rognostic an Predictive Factors inynecologic Cancers, 1st Editionditors: Levenback, Charles F, MD; Sood, Anil K, MD;u, Karen H, MD; Coleman, Robert L, MD.

ibliographic Data: Informa Healthcare/Taylor & Fran-is, 2007, $244.95 ISBN: 978-0-415-39172-6, 344 pages,ard cover. ISBN-10: 0415391725.

escription: This book describes the prognostic factorsssociated with gynecologic malignancies, incorporatinghe current clinical features with newer molecular identifi-rs as well as those associate with newer imaging technolo-ies. This comprehensive and well written book is the firsto focus on this issue and is a needed addition to the field ofynecologic oncology.

urpose: The purpose is to comprehensively compilerognostic data that has emerged relating to gynecologicancers. Clinical, molecular, and imaging data has accumu-ated as our technologic ability has increased. This compi-ation is truly necessary if we are to continue to make im-rovements in the management of women with theseancers. The objectives are met well in book written byorld authorities in these diseases.

udience: It is intended for all who are interested in wo-en’s cancers, including students, residents, fellows, basic

cientists, and clinicians. The authors are all authorities inhis field.

eatures: This well written and thorough book compre-ensively collates the data available to date on gynecologicancers. It is a complete and thoughtful compilation oflinical, molecular, and imaging data on these cancersnd is structured in manner that is efficient and easy tonderstand.

ssessment: This is an excellent reference on this dis-ase. It is a must read for those interested in gynecologic

alignancies.

ISSN 1072-7515/09/$36.00doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2008.09.013