Ophelia is a 27-year-old woman who has struggled with anorexia nervosa since she was 11 years old. She is extremely intelligent, and having gained a first-class degree in history at Oxford University, she is now halfway through her PhD. It is at times when her life is most stressful that she struggles with her anorexia. […]
Alan contracted cancer at the age of 40. You’ve followed his illness carefully ever since he began treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at University Hospital. Alan’s HMO wants to send him to a different hospital — Fair Oaks — a couple of hours away. The HMO can pull Alan away from his home, especially now when […]
Mr. Chen, a 40-year-old patient originally from China, has had lumbar problems for one year. The condition includes dull pain in his right leg and the inability to sit still for long periods. X-ray examination reveals a prolapsed lumbar disc. He has been treated with conventional pain medication with minimal effect. His physician recommends back […]
After suffering a back injury at work, Lowell has completed three weeks of physical therapy. While unable to work, Lowell has been going three times per week to see therapist Eve who has been working for three months at a new clinic and is still learning the ropes. After Lowell’s ninth treatment, his physician explained […]
After several days in the hospital, the results of the various scans are in; and the attending physician, sits down with Mr. Tabrizi to discuss his situation. His son and wife are also present. The Dr. first offers a handshake to Mr. Tabrizi’s son. He inquires explicitly about the extent of his English skills and […]
A registered nurse joins the unit after successfully completing new employee and unit orientation. He had worked for 10 years in a similar unit at St. Elsewhere but grew tired of the 2-hour daily commute. He is thrilled to be working closer to home. The staff likes working with Tom. He is a friendly fellow […]
Ana Lopez is 17 years old and works in the U.S. as a farm laborer. Ana speaks no English and very little Spanish; she is an immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico, and her primary language is Spanish. Roughly estimated to be 36 weeks pregnant, she is admitted through the emergency room to the Hospital with cramping […]
A “designer baby,” who was genetically designed, conceived, and born to be a perfect genetic match for her older sister, Kate, who suffers from a rare childhood leukemia. At birth, Anna donates umbilical cord blood to Kate, but as Anna grows up, she donates more blood, marrow, and stem cells to her sister to keep […]
Does the family of a deceased person have the right to determine what happens to their loved ones’ organs after they die? If so, what is the ethical basis for this right? If not, why not? What are the issues associated with a specific group having a higher rate of eligibility to become organ donors […]
You are the primary treating psychiatrist for a 40-year- old man with schizophrenia which has proven difficult to control through ongoing treatment. Your patient has become convinced that he contracted syphilis through a recent sexual encounter, though he repeatedly tests negative for syphilis and other STDs. Confusingly, in other recent conversations he claimed not to […]
Camille M. Renella, RN, CME, LNC
Clinical Medical Ethicist/Legal Nurse Consultant
Institute of Medicine Chicago (IOMC) Fellow
Executive Director