PROFESSIONAMA backs review of presumed consent on organ donationsAfrican-American physicians say the policy would increase minority distrust of health care.By Andis Robeznieks, amednews staff. July 5, 2004. Chicago -- The AMA decided at its Annual Meeting in June to conduct a review of methods to increase organ donation -- a move that is likely to set the stage for a spirited debate between physicians who find presumed consent unethical and those who say it will save lives. Although the timing is hard to predict, the board will likely refer the issue to the Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, said CEJA member Robert Sade, MD, which will then issue a report for AMA delegates to consider either in December or next June. The AMA's current opinion on presumed consent (which presumes everyone is willing to be a organ donor unless they have documented an objection to it) is that the concept is not unethical, but there has to be a foolproof opt-out system before the AMA supports it. Several African-American doctors spoke against endorsing presumed consent, saying it will worsen minority distrust of the health care system. Other physicians argued that -- with 17 people dying each day waiting for an organ -- everything that can be considered should be considered. "There's nothing intrinsically unethical about presumed consent, so it's definitely something that's worth looking at," said Dr. Sade, a professor of surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. But he added that the current "opt-in" system has been problematic, so he said devising a system in which the choice to opt out is documented and honored will probably prove to be equally as difficult to manage. [...]Full text of American Medical News content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2004 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment. Meeting coverage - Slideshow Feature articlesHealth reform review The Massachusetts experience Litigation stress Being sued is personal as well as professional Comprehensive coverage
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