Ethics

Managing Polypharmacy to Reduce Adverse Events

The use of multiple drugs, often termed polypharmacy, is commonly defined as using from five to 10 prescription drugs. This polypharmacy is sometimes necessary but may be associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes.2 The US Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated the annual costs of polypharmacy at over 50 billion dollars in America.

Modern Medicine – May/June 2018

Patients’ Autonomy: Does Doctor Know Best? – MM1703

Discussions about autonomy in healthcare mainly focus on information sharing and decision making. The obsession with individual rights in the community has
given patients’ autonomy a helping hand but a ‘rights’ context is not necessarily in the best interests of all patients.

Modern Medicine – February 2017

Identifying the Impaired Doctor – MM1608

Doctors sometimes need to be reminded that they are human and susceptible to human frailties such as illness and dependence on illicit substances. For many doctors, physical or mental problems or the use of alcohol or illicit substances may cause brief interruptions in their day-today responsibilities that may resolve quickly with minimal intervention. Occasionally, these conditions may be more severe and interfere with a person’s ability to function as a doctor. Impairment is a legal concept used to define a situation in which a doctor’s physical or mental health potentially interferes with his or her skills and ability to safely care for patients.

Modern Medicine – August 2016

The Pursuit of Altruism Through Organ Donation – MM1604

“Effective altruism is about asking “How can I make the biggest difference?” using evidence and careful reasoning to find an answer. Doing “good” requires a scientific approach. Just as science consists of the honest and impartial attempt to work out what’s true, it requires a commitment to believe the truth whatever that turns out to be. As the phrase suggests, effective altruism consists of the honest and impartial attempt to work out what’s best for the world and a commitment to do what’s best, whatever that turns out to be.”
– William MacAskill, Doing Good Better: How Effective Altruism Can Help You Make a Difference

Modern Medicine – April 2016

The Doctor in Court – MM1602

Despite these fervent wishes of our Minister of Health, we are now five years down the line and the number of doctors found in the corridors of our Courts is increasing in leaps and bounds.
There are three reasons why doctors are likely to be found in court;
• as the accused “in the dock”,
• as a factual witness giving first-hand evidence regarding a patient they have treated or
• as an expert medical witness (a witness of opinion) who is there to interpret the medical facts before the court.

Modern Medicine – February 2016

The Rainbow Nation: Some Aspects of Medical Ethics in a Multicultural Society – MM1510

1994 saw the vision of a South Africa emerging from the hideous old statutory division of its diverse populations and transforming into a blaze of colours arching over a nation, somehow unified by our differences. This was recognised by Archbishop Tutu who likened our democracy to the promise of a new and better beginning as depicted by the rainbow after the biblical Great Flood. Thus arose the concept of the Rainbow Nation.

Modern Medicine – October 2015

Professional Etiquette: Where Did It Come From, Where Is It and Where Is It Going? – MM1508

Etiquette is an old-fashioned word and implies old-fashioned values. Etiquette is defined as a code of behaviour that delineates expectations for social behaviour according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. The word is derived from the French meaning of a “tag or a label”.

Modern Medicine – August 2015

Off-label and Off-licence Drug Use – MM1506

Off-licence use of drugs relates to the use of drugs that are unregistered by the MCC for use in humans. Off-label use of drugs is, on the other hand, extremely common especially in paediatric practice. Off-label use means that the medicine is used in another way or for an indication other than those specified in the conditions of registration of the medicine and as reflected on its labelling.

Modern Medicine – June 2015