Through an agreement with Access Copyright, the Provincial Health Ethics Network (PHEN) has created packages of relevant and timely articles as educational resources on current issues in health ethics. Each package contains 5-6 articles that are meant to provide a general overview and introduction to a selected topic, such as ethics of pandemic planning and organizational ethics.

To order an article package, please download an order form by clicking here.

If you know of any articles not listed that would be a useful resource to others, please email the information to us at info@phen.ab.ca.

To view the articles that are included within each package, please select the title of the article package from the list below.

1. Clinical Ethics Consultation 10. The Principlist Approach
2. Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks 11. Respect for Autonomy
3. Organizational Ethics 12. Virtue Ethics
4. Ethics & Resource Allocation 13. Ethical Issues in Mental Health
5. Ethical Issues at the End of Life 14. Ethical Issues in Long-Term Care
6. Ethics in a World of Difference 15. Ethical Issues in Home Care
7. Faith Based Ethical Perspectives 16. Ethical Issues in Health Promotion & Population Health
8. Introduction to Ethics 17. Ethics of Pandemic Planning
9. Duty- and Utility-Based Ethics 18. Ethics & Disability


Package 1: Clinical Ethics Consultation

Agich, G.J. (2001). The question of method in ethics consultation. American Journal of Bioethics, 1(4), 31-41.

Aulisio, M. P., Arnold, R. M. & Youngner, S. J. (2000). Health care ethics consultation: nature, goals and competencies. Annals of internal medicine, 133(1), 59-69.

Carter, M. A. & Klugman, C.M. (2001). Cultural engagement in clinical ethics: a model for ethics consultation. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 10, 16-33.

Schneiderman, L. et al. (2006). Dissatisfaction with ethics consultations: the Anna Karenina principle. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 15, 101-106.

Smith, M. L. et al. (2004). Criteria for determining the appropriate method for an ethics consultation. HEC Forum, 16 (2), 95-113.

back to top


Package 2: Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks

Bailey, S. (2006). Decision making in acute care: a practical framework supporting the 'best interests' principle. Nursing Ethics, 13(3), 284-291.

Bloch, S. & Green, S.A. (2006). An ethical framework for psychiatry. British Journal of Psychiatry, 188, 7-12.

Jiwani, B. (2001). The 3 questions approach to decision-making in health ethics. In An introduction to health ethics committees (pp. 54-55). Edmonton: The Provincial Health Ethics Network.

Jiwani, B. (2001). The 3 questions approach applied: The case of Mrs. O'Sullivan. In An introduction to health ethics committees (pp. 86-93). Edmonton: The Provincial Health Ethics Network.

Jiwani, B. (2001). Sample frameworks. In An introduction to health ethics committees (pp. 72-73). Edmonton: Provincial Health Ethics Network.

Yeo, M., Williams, J.R. & Hooper, W. (1999). Incorporating ethics in priority setting: a case study of a regional health board in Canada. Health Care Analysis, 7, 177-194.

back to top


Package 3: Organizational Ethics

Emanuel, L. A. (2000). Ethics and the structures of healthcare. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 9, 151-168.

Ray, S. (2006). Whistleblowing and organizational ethics. Nursing Ethics, 12(4), 438-445.

Reiser, S, 1994. The ethical life of health care organizations. Hastings Center Report, 24(6), 28-35.

Root Wolpe, P. (2000). From bedside to boardroom: sociological shifts and bioethics. HEC Forum, 12(3), 191-201.

Spencer, E. M., Mills, A. E., Rorty M. V. & Werhane P. H. (2000). Developing a positive ethical climate in the healthcare organization. In Organization ethics in health care (pp. 136-150). New York: Oxford University.

Spencer, E. M., Mills, A. E., Rorty M. V. & Werhane P. H. (2000). The background for organizational ethics. In Organization ethics in health care (pp. 3-14). New York: Oxford University.

back to top


Package 4: Ethics & Health Resource Allocation

Brock, D. W. (2000). Broadening the bioethics agenda. Kennedy Institute Journal, 10(1), 21-38.

Daniels, N. (1994). Four unsolved rationing problems: A challenge. Hastings Center Report, 24(4), 27-29.

Daniels, N. (1998). Is there a right to health care and, if so, what does it encompass?. In H. Kuhse & P. Singer (Eds.), A companion to bioethics (pp. 316-325). Oxford: Blackwell

Maddix, T. (2005). The challenge of resource allocation: wise decisions require organizations to ask difficult questions. Health Progress, 86(4), 60-62.

Veatch, R. (2000). A new basis for allocating livers for transplant. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 10(1), 75-80.

back to top


Package 5: Ethical Issues at the End of Life

Browne, A. & Sullivan, B. (2006). Advanced directives in Canada. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 15, 256-260.

Jansen, L.A. (2003). The morali of proximity to death. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 14 (1/2), 49-58.

Quill, T. E. (2001). Same old seventeen-dollar lamps & Humanistic end-of-life care. In Caring for patients at the end of life: Facing an uncertain future together (pp. 11-33). New York: Oxford University.

Singer, P.A. & MacDonald, N. (1998), Bioethics for clinicians : 15. Quality end-of-life care. CMAJ, 159(2), 159-162.

Veatch, R. (2000). Death and dying: the incompetent patient. In The basics of bioethics (pp. 101-117). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Webster, G. & Murphy, P. (1999, March). Frank medical discussion a must. In Touch, 2(1).

back to top


Package 6: Ethics in a World of Difference

Aulisio, M. (2006). Bioethics in a global village. American Journal of Bioethics, 6 (1), 1-4

Carver, P. (2001). Disability and the allocation of health care resources: The case of Connor Auton. Health Ethics Today, 12(1), 6-8.

Jecker, N. S. (2003). Sources of normativity: how multicultural values emerge. American Journal of Bioethics, 3 (2), 16-18.

Ladikas, M. & Schroeder, D. (2005). Too early for global ethics? Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 14, 404-415.

Marshall, P. & Koenig, B. (2004). Accounting for culture in a globalized bioethics. The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 32, 252-266.

Paulette, L. (1993). A choice for K'aila. Humane Medicine, 9(1), 13-17.

back to top


Package 7: Faith Based Perspectives

Brody, B. (1998). Religion and bioethics. In H. Kuhse & P. Singer (Eds.), A companion to bioethics (pp. 41-48). Oxford: Blackwell.

Bowman, K. W. & Hui, E. C. (2000). Bioethics for clinicians: 20. Chinese bioethics. CMAJ, 163 (11), 1481-1485.

Coward, H. & Sidhu, T. (2000). Bioethics for clinicians 19. Hinduism and Sikhism. CMAJ, 163 (9), 1167-70.

Daar, A.S., Binsumeit, A., Khitamy, A. (2000). Bioethics for clinicians 21. Islamic bioethics. CMAJ, 164 (1), 60-63.

Ellerby, J. H., McKenzie, J., McKay, S., Gari?, G. J. & Kaufert, J. M. (2000). Bioethics for clinicians: 18. Aboriginal cultures. CMAJ, 163 (7), 845-850.

Goldsand, G., Rosenberg, Z. R. S. & Gordon, M. (2001). Bioethics for clinicians: 22. Jewish bioethics. CMAJ, 164 (2), 219-222.

Markwell, H. J. & Brown, B. F. (2001). Bioethics for clinicians: 27. Catholic bioethics. CMAJ, 165 (2), 189-192.

Pauls, M. & Hutchinson, R. C. (2002). Bioethics for clinicians: 28. Protestant bioethics. CMAJ, 166 (3), 339-343.

back to top


Package 8: Introduction to Ethics

Elliot, C. (1992). Where ethics comes from and what to do about it. Hastings Center Report, 22(4), 28-35.

Engelhardt Jr., H. Tristram (1999). Bioethics in the third millennium: some critical anticipations. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 9 (3) 225 - 239.

Horner, J. (2003). Morality, ethics and law: introductory concepts. Seminars in Speech and Language, 24(4), 263-274.

Pellegrino, E. (1999). The origins and evolution of bioethics: some personal reflections. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 9(1), 73-88.

Rachels, J. (1998). Ethical theory and bioethics. In H. Kuhse & P. Singer (Eds.), A companion to bioethics (pp. 15-23). Oxford: Blackwell.

back to top


Package 9: Duty- and Utility-Based Ethics

Bentham, J. (1823). Of the Principle of Utility. An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Retrieved December 19, 2005 from http://www.la.utexas.edu/ research/poltheory/bentham/ipml/ipml.c01.html.

Kant, I. (1991). The good will and the categorical imperative (selections). In T.L. Beauchamp (Ed.), Philosophical ethics: An introduction to moral philosophy, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, pp. 182-185.

Mill, J.S. (1991). Utilitarianism (selections). In T.L. Beauchamp (Ed.), Philosophical ethics: An introduction to moral philosophy, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, pp. 132-137.

Rachels, J. (1993). The elements of moral philosophy (pp. 90- 138). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Sidgewick, H. (2000). Utilitarianism. Uilitas, 12(3), 253-260.

Swick, H, Bryan, C. & Longo, L. (2006). Beyond the physician charter: reflections on medical professionalism. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 49(2), 263-275.

back to top


Package 10: The Principlist Approach

Beauchamp, T. & Childress J. (2001). Moral norms. In Principles of Biomedical Ethics (5th ed.) (pp. 1-25). New York: Oxford University.

Jonsen, A. R. (1994). Clinical ethics and the four principles. In R. Gillon (Ed.), Principles of health care ethics (pp. 13-21). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Macklin, R. (2003). Applying the four principles. J. Med.Ethics, 29, 275-280.

Veatch, R. (1995). Resolving conflicts among principles: Ranking, balancing, and specifying. Kennedy Institute of EthicsJjournal, 5(3): 199-218.

back to top


Package 11: Respect for Autonomy

Beauchamp, T. and Childress, J. (2001). Respect for autonomy. In Principles of biomedical ethics (5th Ed.) (pp. 57-112). New York: Oxford University.

Boyd, A. (2000). Anagogy of autonomy. Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics, 10(4), 113-119.

Cowart, D. & Robert B. (1998). Confronting death: Who chooses, who controls? Hastings Center Report, 28(1), 14-24.

Cummins Gauthier, C. (2002). The virtue of moral responsibility in healthcare decisionmaking. Cambridge of Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 11, 273-281.

Sherwin, S. (1998). A relational approach to autonomy in health care. In S. Sherwin, F. Baylis, M. Bell, M. De Koninck, J. Downie, A. Lippman, et. al. (Eds.) The politics of women's health (pp. 19-47). Philadelphia: Temple University.

Waller, B. N. (2002). The psychological structure of patient autonomy. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 11, 257-265.

back to top


Package 12: Virtue Ethics

Armstrong, A.E. (2006). Towards a strong virtue ethics for nursing practice. Nursing Philosophy, 7(3), 110-124.

Gardiner, P. (2003). A virtue ethics approach to moral dilemmas in medicine. J. Med. Ethics, 29, 297-302.

Hursthouse, R. (2003). Virtue ethics. In E. N. Zalta (ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2003 Edition). Retrieved December 8, 2005 from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2003/entries/ethics-virtue/

Jansen, L. (2000). The virtues in their place: virtue ethics in medicine. Theoretical medicine and bioethics, 21(3), 261-276.

Rachels, J. (1993). The ethics of virtue. In The elements of moral philosophy (pp. 159- 178). McGraw-Hill.

back to top


Package 13: Ethical Issues in Mental Health

Freshwater, D. & Westwood, T. (2006). Risk, detention and evidence: humanizing mental health reform. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 13(3), 257-259.

Guinn, D. E. (2002). Mental competence, caregivers, and the process of consent: research involving alzheimer's patients or others with decreasing mental capacity. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 11, 230-245.

Ganzini, L. et al. (2005). Ten myths about decision-making capacity. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 6 (3), 100-104.

Roberts, M. (2004). Psychiatric ethics: a critical introduction for mental health nurses. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 11 (5), 583-588.

back to top


Package 14: Ethical Issues in Long-Term Care

Gordon, M. (2004). Humanity in long-term care: ethical, clinical and social challenges. Canadian Family Physician, 50, 1629-35.

Ludwick, R. & Cipriano Silva, M. (2003). Ethical challenges in the care of elderly persons. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Available http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/ethicol/ethics_14.htm

Carter, M. W. (2002). Advancing an ethical framework for long-term care. Journal of Aging Studies, 16(1), 57-71.

back to top


Package 15: Ethical Issues in Home Care

Gallagher, E. et al. (2002). Ethical dilemmas in home care case management. Journal of Healthcare Management, 47(2), 85-97.

Healy, T. (1998). The complexity of everyday ethics in home health care: an analysis of social workers' decisions regarding frail elders' autonomy. Social Work in Health Care, 27(4), 19-37.

Kadushin, G. & Egan, M. (2001). Ethical dilemmas in home health care: a social work perspective. Health & Social Work, 26(3), 136-149.

Liaschenko, J. & Peter, E. (2002). The voice of home care workers in clinical ethics. HEC Forum, 14(3), 217-223.

back to top


Package 16: Ethical Issues in Health Promotion & Population Health

Denier, Y. (2005). On personal responsibility and the human right to healthcare. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 14, 224-234.

Frohlich, K. L. and Potvin, L. (1999, Nov/ Dec). Collective lifestyles as the target for health promotion. Canadian Journal of Public Health , 90 (Suppl. 1), S11- S14.

Mann, J. M. (1997). Medicine and public health, ethics and human rights. Hastings Center Report, 27 (3), 6-13.

Minkler, M. (1999, February). Personal responsibility for health? A review of the arguments and the evidence at century's end. Health Education & Behavior, 26 (1), 121- 140.

Turner, L. (2005). Bioethics, social class, and the sociological imagination. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics (2005), 14, 374-378.

back to top


Package 17: Ethics of Pandemic Planning

Gostin, L. (2006). Medical countermeasures for pandemic influenza: ethics and the law. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 295 (5), 554-556.

Gostin, L. (2006). Public health strategies for pandemic influenza. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(14), 1700-1704

Kayman, H. & Ablorh-Odjidja, A. (2006). Revisiting public health preparedness: incorporating social justice principles into pandemic preparedness planning for influenza. Journal of Public Health Management Practice, 12(4), 373-380.

Kotalik, J. (2005). Preparing for an influenza pandemic: ethical issues. Bioethics, 19(4), 422-431.

Zoloth, L. & Zoloth, S. (2006). Don't be chicken: bioethics and avian flu. The American Journal of Bioethics, 6(1): 5-8.

back to top


Package 18: Ethics & Disability

Clapton, J. (2003). Tragedy and catastrophe: contentious discourses of ethics and disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 47(7), 540-547.

Kuczewski, M. G. (2001) Disability: an agenda for bioethics. American Journal of Bioethics, 1 (3), 36-44.

Levine, C. (2005). Acceptance, avoidance and ambiguity: conflicting social values about childhood disability. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 15 (4). 371-383.

Powers, M. (2001). Some reflections on disability and bioethics. American Journal of Bioethics, 1(3), 51-52.

Silvers, A. (2003). On the possibility and desirability of constructing a neutral conception of disability. Theoretical Medicine, 24, 471-487.

back to top