About Us
Never before has so much been possible through the technologies of modern medicine
And never before has it been so critical to bring to these spectacular cures and hopeful possibilities an ethical perspective of compassion, respect and justice to ensure that such care is delivered wisely and well.
Since 1989 the OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care has partnered with practitioners of all disciplines regionally and nationally to be a leading voice for compassionate health care. The scope of its work is broad and far reaching. Its mission - to raise the level of ethical standards in all aspects of health care throughout our community - puts the needs and rights of patients and their families directly at the center of that care.
- A mother of young children with advanced cancer who must decide when is the right time to end burdensome and minimally effective treatment, and the doctor who must inform her - in a way that does not destroy hope - that her disease is no longer curable.
- An elderly couple, in failing health, who worry that their wishes for care at the end of their life will not be honored.
- A nurse, whose desire to offer compassionate care and vital education to her patients, is met with the barriers of scarcity of time and multiple demands.
- A child who dies from uncontrolled infection that began as a highly treatable dental abscess, because she has no access to care.
- Anyone who has ever felt vulnerable, bewildered, adrift or alone within today's health care system.
It is to these people that the Center dedicates its work.
EDUCATION
Raising the level of ethical skills of current and future generations of health care professionals:
- Inter-professional ethics teaching and expanded cross cultural awareness add vital new learning dimensions for OHSU students and practicing professionals of all levels and disciplines.
- Teaching in professionalism, comfort care and ethics builds deeper awareness of patient needs and develops skills in compassionate communication.
The Living With Life-Threatening Illness course offers medical students unprecedented windows of understanding into the experience of illness and how it impacts every aspect of a patient's life.
- Numerous statewide conferences bring new learning and policy dissemination to practitioners in urban and rural communities throughout the region.
- Ethics Leadership addresses health care ethics questions and concerns within Oregon, and raises national standards of ethics education.
Every aspect of the Center's work is designed to create vitally-needed change in the way health care is taught and practiced.
HEALTH CARE TRANSFORMATION
Systems and policy reform lead to changes in clinical care:
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) program transforms end-of-life care in Oregon, ensuring wishes for care are honored and respected. Now used by a growing number of communities around the country. www.polst.org
- Close collaboration with government and health care leaders creates policy and system change to improve health care access, overcome barriers to compassionate care and enhance respect and cultural awareness.
- Ongoing research identifies and supports new ways to address every aspect of health care reform.
