Health Ethics Websites

The internet is full of websites on a variety of ethical issues related to health. Here are a selection of websites, organized by topic, that you might find interesting. f you have any suggestions for additions (or deletions), kindly email them to middleton@phen.ab.ca.

• National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature
  This website has been developed and is maintained by the Library and Information Services staff of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics. The library holdings represent the world's largest collection related to ethical issues in medicine and biomedical research. It functions both as a reference library for the public and as an in depth research resource for scholars from the U.S. and abroad.
• Bioethics for Clinicians
  A series on bioethical issues, including consent, research ethics, confidentiality, resource allocation, euthanasia, and more. Each topic features case studies, definitions, and ethical/legal issues.
• Bioethics Resources on the Web
  Comprehensive Internet site featuring links to bioethics centers and documents across the world.
• Research Ethics Board (Canada)

• Alberta Seniors-Community and Support
  
• CMA Policy: Advance directives for resuscitation and other life-saving or sustaining measures
  
• End of Life Project
  FAQ about Advanced Directives.
• Family Doctor.org
  Information about Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders.
• Funeral Directory.com
  explains and explores concepts about advance directives.
• Living Will
  (Canada) - Access living will online.
• Living Wills Registry Canada
  Details on living wills, including ordering and downloading a living will.
• Manitoba Health Care Directives Information Page
  
• Office of the Public Guardian (U.K.)
  
• Palliative Info
  A summary of sites on Advanced Directives.
• Parting Wishes.com
  Information about Advance Directives.
  
• Personal Directives (Alberta)
  
• Provincial Health Ethics Network
  
• UB Center for Clinical Ethics and Humanities in Healthcare (U.S.)

• Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics
  International Journal for Healthcare Ethics and Ethics Committees.
• Canadian Bioethics Report
  
• Hastings Center Report
  
• Health Ethics Today
  Published by the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Journal of Clinical Ethics
  
• Journal of Medical Ethics
  
• Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal
  
• MedBio World
  Thousands of links to journals, associations and databases related to medical ethics and bioethics.

• Bioethics: Codes, Oaths, Guidelines & Position Statements
  Contains links to historical and professional codes for both Canada and the U.S.
• Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics (2004)
  
• Canadian Traumatic Stress Network Ethical Principles
  
• Ethics Codes and Practice Guidelines
  Large collection of ethics codes and guidelines for American and Canadian associations.
• Nursing Code of Ethics

• Health Information Act
  Located on the Calgary Health Region website, this is an overview of what is it, who is subject to the act, kinds of information involved, and more.
• Pan-Canadian Health Information Privacy and Confidentiality Framework (Health Canada)

• Department of Health
  Guides for adults, children, persons with disabilities, relatives and caregivers (U.K.).
• Informed Consent
  Interactive module that includes overview of informed consent, the consent process, how to create a consent document, and self-test.
• What is Informed Consent?

• Inside the Ethics Committee
  This BBC Radio programme explores the workings of clinical ethics committees with a panel of experts that discuss real-life cases.
• Ethics Committee Core Curriculum
  An Orientation Manual for Ethics Committee Members (U.S.).
• A Guide to Moral Decision Making
  
• Guidelines and objectives of Clinical Ethics Committees from Quebec

• AARP
  Resources for organizing end-of-life issues/concerns.
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
  
• Center for Applied Ethics and Professional Practice
  Featured products and publications on end-of-life issues.
• Dying Well.com
  Resources for people facing end-of-life issues.
• End of Life Care Interest Links
  
• Legal Issues in End-of-Life Care (U.S.)
  
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (U.S.)
  
• UK Clinical Ethics Network
  Outlines ethical considerations for end-of-life issues.

• Ethics in Mental Health Research
  
• Ethics and Malpractice
  Index to articles, books and Internet sites.
• Mental Health Infosource
  
• Mental Health Patient's Bill of Rights (U.S.)

• Ascension health
  Discussion on the concept of futility.
• Futility
  Case studies and discussion on futility.
• Developing and Implementing a Medical Futility Policy: One Institution's Experience

• HumGen
  International database on the legal, social and ethical aspects of human genetics.
• Genethics.ca
  Canadian website dedicated to bringing the public information on the social, ethical and policy issues associated with genetic and genomic knowledge and technology.

• Public Health and Social Justice
  
• Canada Health Act
  
• The Health of Canadians: The Federal Role
  Published in 2002, this is a substantial listing of recommended reforms to the health care system.
• Access to Health Care in Canada
  Comprehensive bibliography of related websites, articles and books.
• Health Canada Legislation
  Links to several health related legislation.

• Calgary Health Region Home Care Center
  
• Calgary Health Region Home Care Ethics Committee
  
• Canadian Caregiver Coalition
  National voice for the needs and interests of family caregivers.
• Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
  
• Edmonton Palliative Care Program
  
• Family Caregiver Alliance (U.S.)
  A resource for caregivers including fact sheets, policy briefs, publications and support groups.
• Home Care Ethics
  Includes self-assessment test for home care providers.
• Home Health Care Services (Canada & Alberta)
  
• Ontario Home Care Association
  
• Palliative Care Tips (Alberta)
  
• Regina Health Region
  Information on home care services provided and contact information.
• Home Care Providers
  Resource for homecare providers interested in enhancing their organizational ethical practices.
• The Care Guide (U.S.)
  A guide to senior's housing and care.

• National Council on Ethics in Human Research (Canada)
  Links to policies, guidelines, national ethics committees, organizations, articles, and more.
• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (Canada)
  Describes the policies of numerous research councils in Canada, including the Medical Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Information on such things as clinical trials, genetic research, gametes/embryos, and human tissue.

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  Case studies and discussion on medical errors.
• Canadian Medical Malpractice
  
• Disclosure of Medical Error
  This article appeared in Canadian Medical Association Journal, February 2001.
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices (Canada)
  Site collects and analyze medication error reports, and develops recommendations to enhance patient safety.
• Medical Error (Canada)
  Purpose of this site is to serve as a starting point for those interested in the ethical aspects of clinical error.
• National Medical Error Project (Canada)
  Sponsored by the Canadian Red Cross.

• Alberta Association of Registered Nurses: Code of Ethics
  
• Nursing Ethics
  
• Nursing Code of Ethics

• Organ & Tissue Donation in Alberta & Canada
  
• Transweb.org
  Everything you need to know about organ transplantation and donation.
• Health Canada - A Coordinated and Comprehensive Donation and Transplantation Strategy for Canada

• Can a Patients' Bill of Rights Address Concerns About Waiting Lists?
  This article discusses the prospect of a patients' bill of rights addressing Canadians' concerns about their health care system.
• Patients are Powerful
  This non-profit organization is committed to empower patients and to be a source of information to facilitate such empowerment.

• Canada Pandemic Influenza Plan
  
• Pandemic Preparedness (Health Canada)
  
• Health Emergencies (Health Canada)
  
• Department of Health (UK)
  
• Emergency Preparedness (Canada)
  
• World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Preparedness Plan

• Alberta Catholic Health Corporation
  
• Catholic Health Association of Canada
  
• Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (U.S.)
  
• Islamic Views on Medical Ethics
  
• Religions in Canada
  An extensive list of religious organizations

• Clinical Ethics Network
  Discussions on the effects, issues and guidelines for resource allocation (U.K.).
• Health Care Priority Setting
  This paper presents a detailed step by step guide for carrying out a priority setting process.
• Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
  Online journal devoted to the economic evaluation of health care and health policy issues related to resource allocation.

• CPR: The Reality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and its uses and limitations at the end of life
  
• DNRs (U.S.)
  Provides information regarding DNRs including how to obtain DNR document, identification, and other useful information for each state.
• Deciding about CPR: Do Not Resuscitate Orders
  A guide for patients and families.

• Links to ethics education resources for educators

• Continuous Care
  
• Discussions about the effects of discontinuing tube feeding
  
• Elder Hope
  Information about tube feeding and hydration.
• Medical, legal and ethical issues around tube feeding
  
• Tube Feeding Options at the End of Life
  
• When Patients Cannot Eat or Drink:
  Understanding Artificial Nutrition and Hydration