Handbook for health care ethics committees /

Health care institutions and providers are increasingly turning to ethics committees for advice and resolution of particular cases and overarching issues. In this context, the value of this eloquently written book by Post (formerly, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine) and Blustein and Dubler (Montefiore/Albert Einstein) is understated in its title. Its relevance, particularly in the "Curriculum for Ethics Committees" section, extends far beyond health care ethics committee members to anyone interested in how to address ethical dilemmas in institutional settings and the role that ethics committees play in US health care today. The latter part of the book makes specific suggestions for health care ethics committees and their parent organizations. One of the most valuable chapters is the thorough, balanced "Approaches to Ethics Consultation." The numerous sample protocols and case studies are current and effective in illustrating the ethical issues the authors present. The only drawback is that in the authors' thoroughness, they verge on suggesting that their approach has conclusively covered all relevant issues. This is a minor complaint regarding a strong work based on meticulous research and the wisdom of years of experience. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. M. D. Lagerwey Western Michigan University