Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions

Hello fellow book readers, this is a very good introduction book for the topic of ethics in health care. So far, i have taken a class on the same topic and not found a better book for those who are looking at health care as a career. the book deals with morals vs. ethics and the difference in the defintions of the two words. It then gives you ethical theories that have been used to evaluate what decision to make in health care from kantian to rawls to ontological to virtue ethics. It is a good book for those interested in health care at a general level and looking to see what one will have to encounter in terms of ethical dilemmas and problems. It is also a good book for just general discussion of ethics. One thing, it lacks, is no focus on divine command theory and other theories related to religion. It is thus not absolutely complete especially for those who care what God has to say like a lot of people. AR

This book was a textbook for a college course I took last year on ethics in health professions. I loved the course and I really enjoyed this book, which provides the ethical and moral foundations for decision making as well as relevant examples and case studies that we used in classroom discussions. The chapter relating to ethics and how it relates to legal issues was especially eye-opening for me.

This text by Purtillo has some definite advantages in teaching a course on ethics - it is a great way to spark debate amongst students. The case studies, while sometimes trite or unbelievable (health professionals in the field may notice some improbability in some of the scenarios), nevertheless provoke really meaningful conversation on the topics. The book is lacking in some of the more philosophical aspects of ethics in medicine, but nevertheless provides in adequate framework. Another advantage is the succinct nature of the text, it can be easily read in one sitting, but the discussions it stimulates can last hours more.

The item arrived in great shape, although it took some time to get here!

It really makes you think for yourself given different ethical situations which I think is great! But for beginning learners I think it should also include some helpful outcomes in some of the ethical dilemas..But overall good learning tool!