Event: Caring for the Vulnerable Patient: “Wicked” Problems in Health Care Ethics

February 18, 2009

Health Care Ethics Consortium of Georgia announces:
 
Caring for the Vulnerable Patient: “Wicked” Problems in Health Care Ethics
March 19-20, 2009
Emory Conference Center Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia 

The concept the “vulnerable patient” frequently appears in current ethics literature.  Although all patients are vulnerable to some degree by virtue of their illness or injury, and their interactions with or dependence on the health care system, certain patient groups experience an increased level of vulnerability by virtue of the nature of their illness, characteristics of the health care system, and social justice concerns.  “Wicked” problems are those that are complex, extremely difficult to address, require the involvement of multiple disciplines and perspectives, and are likely to recur. 
 
During this year’s conference we will explore the nature of vulnerability and wicked problems through patient narratives, with particular attention to ethical issues in:  neurological disability, access to care and mental illness.   In all conference sessions we will explore constructive models and strategies for addressing particular “wicked” problems that challenge patients, families and health care providers in all communities.
 
Keynote lecture will be given by Rita Charon, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and co-editor of Stories Matter:  The Role of Narrative in Medical Ethic.  She will help frame conversations across the two days as we look at the ways in which the stories or narratives of particular patients inform our thinking about how we confront complex ethical concerns in providing health care.

Visit Health Care Ethics Consortium of Georgia website for conference information and registration
www.hcecg.org