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Anatomy Of A Clinical Ethics Consultation, Barry Hoffmaster

C. Barry Hoffmaster

Theoretical accounts of the nature and purposes of clinical ethics consultation are disappointingly superficial and diffuse. Attempts to illuminate the goals, the forms, the substance, and the criteria for the success of ethics consultations need to focus on detailed reports of cases and the contexts in which they occur. The uncommonly rich description of the consultation surrounding Mrs. Roses plight provides a splendid opportunity to explore such matters. The ethics consultant pursues a number of ventures providing and clarifying information, improving communication, educating and counseling, and being a friend with variable degrees of success. What the ethics consultant can do …