Medical Ethics - The Surgeon's Perspective

The book explores the ethical challenges and moral duties specific to surgical practice. It focuses on core principles-autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice-tailoring each to address the unique demands of surgery, where decisions are often high-stakes and outcomes life-altering. The beginning traces the historical evolution of medical ethics, from ancient philosophical roots to modern bioethics, shaped by advances like organ transplants and genetic manipulation. This background sets the stage for discussing autonomy, emphasizing informed consent as a means of respecting patients' rights to self-determination. In surgery, autonomy requires clear communication about risks and alternatives, a process complicated in emergency cases where implied or surrogate consent may be necessary. The volume also examines autonomy in ethically complex cases such as euthanasia, abortion, and assisted reproduction, where individual rights intersect with societal and legal boundaries. The principles of beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest) and non-maleficence (avoiding harm) are especially complex in surgery. Scenarios where these principles conflict, such as in high-risk or experimental surgeries where beneficial interventions may also carry significant risks, are also considered. For instance, in end-of-life decisions, beneficence may support easing suffering, yet non-maleficence cautions against causing harm. These principles intersect acutely in fields like organ transplantation, where both donor and recipient autonomy, emotional well-being, and fair access to resources must be balanced. Justice is another focal point, and the volume emphasizes  the surgeon's role in promoting fair access to healthcare. Justice requires surgeons to advocate for equitable treatment, addressing disparities that may limit access for vulnerable populations. In resource-constrained environments, justice involves ethical prioritization and fair allocation of resources;  surgeons should support policies that advance social responsibility, especially as new medical technologies and treatments often become accessible only to privileged groups, widening healthcare inequities. Confidentiality and informed consent are highlighted as essential to ethical surgical practice, helping to build patient trust. Cinà underscores the surgeon's duty to uphold confidentiality even in team-based and emergency settings and advocates for clear, culturally sensitive communication during the consent process. The ethical dimensions of surgical research, particularly concerning experimental procedures and the influence of industry partnerships are discussed. The author urge transparency and ethical caution, especially when patient autonomy may be compromised by high-risk innovations. The book integrates deontological and bioethical approaches, offering surgeons a comprehensive ethical framework that combines rule-based standards with the flexibility to adapt to novel challenges. By applying both  surgeons can navigate evolving ethical landscapes with integrity and compassion, supporting patient-centered care and respecting human dignity. This work ultimately serves as a guide for surgeons, urging them to uphold ethical values, advocate for justice, and embrace their roles as moral agents in a complex medical world.

Table des matières

1. Medical Ethics and Its Evolution in Surgical Practice.- 2. Autonomy and Ethical Principles in Surgical Practice.- 3. Confidentiality, Informed Consent, and Patient Autonomy in Surgery.- 4. Autonomy and Beneficence in Assisted Reproductive technology (ART).- 5. Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence in Organ transplantation.- 6. Autonomy and Beneficence in Genetic Manipulation.- 7. Autonomy and Ethical Dilemmas in Extreme End-of-Life Care.- 8. Justice in Surgical Ethics: Navigating Equity, Accessibility, and Social Responsibility in Surgical Practice.- 9. The Evolution of Surgical Training.- 10. Ethical and Legal Accountability in Surgical and Forensic Medicine: A Medico-Legal and Jurist Perspective.- 11. Ethical Challenges in the Rise of Artificial Intelligence.- 12. Ethical Challenges in Crisis and Epidemic Response.- 13. Personalized Medicine, Data Use, and Ethical Considerations in Surgical Decision-Making.- 14. Ethics in Disability, and Vulnerable Patients.- 15. The Ethics of Medical Research and Experimentation in Surgery.- 16. The Surgical Ethics of Numbers.- 17. Navigating Ethical Codes and Conflicts of Interest in Surgery.- 18. Conclusions.- 19. Opening the Door to Reflection.

A propos de l'auteur

Professor Claudio Salvatore Cinà is a highly esteemed vascular surgeon recognized for his contributions to clinical practice, research, and education. He previously served as a Full Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and as Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery at McMaster University. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Consultant in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Policlinico Morgagni-Centro Cuore in Catania, Italy. Dr. Cinà’s medical training spans prestigious institutions, including the University of Toronto, Harvard University, Baylor University, and McMaster University. He is specialized in both General Surgery and Vascular Surgery and holds a Master’s degree in Health Research Methodology. His clinical expertise includes complex open surgeries, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced endovascular treatments. In Canada, Dr. Cinà was instrumental in developing two groundbreaking programs: the Throaco-Abdominal Aneurysm Treatment (TATA) program and the Endovascular Research and Technology Development Program (SRITE). These initiatives advanced the treatment of complex aortic conditions and established him as a leader in the field. Notably, he was the first in Canada to perform endovascular repairs of thoracoabdominal aneurysms using fenestrated stent grafts. A prolific researcher, Dr. Cinà has authored over 160 peer-reviewed publications, seven books, and multiple book chapters. His research areas include cerebrovascular surgery, aortic disease, and the development of innovative endovascular techniques. He has received multiple accolades for his contributions, including awards for excellence in scientific review.   As an educator, Dr. Cinà has mentored numerous surgeons and fellows globally. His commitment to teaching has been recognized with honors, including the "Mentor of the Year" award. His significant achievements have earned him distinctions such as the Grand Cavaliere of the Order of Malta, underscoring his impact on the field of vascular surgery.  

Résumé

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the ethical complexities unique to surgical practice. Grounded in the foundational principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, it adapts each to the high-stakes, often urgent nature of surgical decision-making. The historical evolution of medical ethics—from ancient philosophy to modern bioethics—sets the stage for a nuanced discussion of autonomy, particularly the role of informed consent in respecting patient self-determination. The text addresses challenges in emergency contexts and ethically sensitive areas like euthanasia, abortion, and assisted reproduction.
Beneficence and non-maleficence are examined in depth, especially where they conflict—such as in experimental or high-risk surgeries, end-of-life care, and organ transplantation. These scenarios demand careful balancing of patient welfare, risk, and emotional well-being. Justice is presented as a call to action: surgeons must advocate for equitable healthcare access, especially in resource-limited settings and amid technological advances that risk widening disparities.
Confidentiality and informed consent are emphasized as pillars of trust, even in team-based or emergency environments. The book also scrutinizes the ethics of surgical research, highlighting the need for transparency and caution in industry partnerships and experimental procedures that may compromise patient autonomy.
By integrating deontological and bioethical frameworks, the author provides surgeons with a flexible yet principled guide to navigating evolving ethical landscapes. The work encourages integrity, compassion, and patient-centered care, positioning surgeons as moral agents committed to justice and human dignity in a complex medical world.

Détails du produit

• Collaboration: Claudio Salvatore Cinà (Editeur), Claudio Salvatore Cinà (Editeur)
• Edition: Springer, Berlin
• Langues: Anglais
• Format d'édition: Livre Relié
• Sortie: 21.11.2025
• EAN: 9783032048653
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3204865-3
• Pages: 285
• Illustrations: VI, 285 p. 3 illus. in color.
• Catégories: Sciences naturelles, médecine, informatique, technique > Médecine > Général; Bioethik, Chirurgie, Artificial Intelligence, Public Health und Präventivmedizin, Gesundheitsökonomie, Surgery, Recht des Gesundheitswesens und Medizinrecht, Public Health, Bioethics, dei, Health Care Management, Informed Consent, Medical Ethics, medical law, Patient autonomy, SDG 3, ethical decision-making, Surgical Ethics, Disabled and vulnerable patients, Patients' Rights, Sustainable Developmental Goals