Foreword.- Acknowledgments.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Medical Ethics Before Hippocrates.- 3. Hippocrates and Greece.- 4. Rome, Barbarians and Medieval Codes.- 5. Far East: China.- 6. Near and Middle East.- 7. Portugal, Italy, England.- 8. Statement and initial development of Medical ethics In the 19th and 20th centuries.- 9. Italy.- 10. Ethics and Professionality.- 11. U.S.A. and U.S.S.R..- 12. Informed Consent.- 13. Medical Ethics in the World.- 14. The catholic doctor’s prayers Vatican city.- 15. Ethics In The 20th And 21st Centuries.- 16. Medical ethics and bioethics In the 20th century.- 17. Ethics Committees.- 18. Update to years 2020, 2021 and 2022, with information on COVID-19.
Raimondo G. Russo, has worked in Italy and abroad (United States, Holland, Germany) in a few areas complementary to pre-clinical and clinical research: toxicology, oncology, pathophysiology, oncological and respiratory pharmacology, pharmacovigilance and drug safety. He has published scientific articles and holds patents in Italy and in the U.S.A. His interest in past and recent history, combined with dedication to medicine, led him to delve into the long and tortuous path of medical ethics. This book, based on his own research, aims to enrich knowledge and stimulate correct behavior in daily medical practice.
Medical practitioners have always been expected to abide by certain standards of conduct and uphold certain values, more or less throughout the world. In this book, besides discussing specific ethical issues, the author ponders questions such as the right to life and the integrity of the human person. Ethics in medicine takes account of the principles that underlie the best decisions, particularly in unusual circumstances – such as a pandemic. Many of these are enshrouded in the oaths most doctors take – the Hippocratic Oath is perhaps the best known, and has influenced numerous others over the centuries. However, these principles and the resulting conduct have taken different directions at various moments in history and in different parts of the globe, though always primarily oriented to the protection of human health. The author compares some interesting similarities and differences, tracing the main social, legal and religious attitudes, in what has come to be known as "medical ethics", with all its benefits to Mankind.
Alongside basic human dignity, four main values have been pivotal in medical ethics: Caring for sick people, putting their well-being at the center of concern, and doing good. Not causing harm: never making a patient take risks, and never prescribing a doubtful treatment. Fairness: treating all patients in accordance with their health needs, never favoring or neglecting anyone on the basis of background, occupation, etc. Self-determination: the patient can be informed about treatments and, when possible, should approve the prescriptions. The doctor must show empathy, respect for confidentiality, and responsibility.
Briefly, this overview of the medical profession’s ethics focuses on experience, principles, aims, virtues and above all the basic rules which in various places through the centuries have governed the tortuous paths of Mankind.
Written by an acclaimed expert in the field, this book is of value for all those working in healthcare, and people interested in its ethics.
