AMA Journal of Ethics. April 2018

This month in Journal of Ethics

Ethical Considerations in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons care for a variety of patients, including those with recent trauma, chronic wounds, and craniofacial anomalies. Ethical questions in plastic and reconstructive surgery routinely involve informed consent, risk disclosure, and the roles of values such as cosmesis and functioning in clinical decision making. The April 2018 issue of the AMA Journal of Ethics also considers plastic and reconstructive surgeons’ potential conflicts of interests in commercial self-promotion and advertising, the roles of some in endorsing aesthetic norms that can be harmful to patients, and standards according to which plastic and reconstructive surgeons should be trained.

How Tattoos Can Complement Breast Reconstruction Lisa Franczak, CPCP Tattooing offers expanded possibilities for creative expression among women who have undergone mastectomies and breast surgeries.

What Should Be the Surgeon’s Role in Defining “Normal” Genital Appearance? Devan Stahl, PhD, MDiv, and Christian J. Vercler, MD, MA Social and cultural influences significantly contribute to our conceptions of healthy and pathological anatomy, and surgeons play critical roles in how these influences are expressed in clinical settings and social media.

When Is Advertising a Plastic Surgeon’s Individual “Brand” Unethical? Carly P. Smith, PhD, and Daniel George, PhD Advertising a plastic surgery practice on social media can be ethically fraught, and deceptive online marketing techniques can lead to patients feeling betrayed.

Plastic Surgery’s Contributions to Surgical Ethics Chad M. Teven, MD, and Scott B. Grant, MD, MBioethics Innovation in surgery has led to novel and distinct ethical challenges about how potential risks and benefits are communicated. Medicine can learn from plastic surgeons’ approaches to informed consent.

Upcoming Issues

May Trauma Surgery Ethics

June Ethics in Burn Care

July Religion and Spirituality in Health Care Practice

August Ethics, Policy, and the Roles of Physicians in Care of the Dying

September Ethics in Precision Health

October Health and Food Ethics