AMA Journal of Ethics

Bringing Dying Out of the Hospital’s Closet

Why is the transition from “living” to “dying” not socially marked in the same way that death is marked? This question is addressed using classical anthropological theory, which highlights the significance of liminality, the transitional period during a rite of…

Roles of Environmental Services Workers’ Wages and Status in Patient Safety

Environmental services is a mission-critical function of any health care organization, contributing in key ways to patients’ health, well-being, and overall care experiences. This article offers context from a risk management standpoint on the importance of recognizing, valuing, and protecting…

Physician Leadership and Advocacy for Team-Based Care

Team-based care is a strong focus and narrative in medical and health education and within health care systems. Yet it is essential to consider that there are vast differences in power, education, compensation, and job security among team members in…

How to Better Value EMS Clinicians as Key Care Team Members

Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians, including emergency medical technicians and paramedics, are skilled professionals whose expertise is leveraged routinely to meet a wide range of patient needs. Collaborative interdisciplinary care requires mutual understanding, trust, and respect. Yet, among EMS clinicians…

A Case for Federal Labor Legislation to Protect Underpaid Home Care Workers

The National Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights Act aimed to remedy nearly a century of labor and health inequities facing a majority of the home health workforce including home health workers, personal care aides, and professional caregivers who are women…

Whose Responsibility Is It to Address Bullying in Health Care?

Bullying has significant, far-reaching consequences for all health professionals, students, trainees, patients, their families, and organizations. Bullying is antithetical to healthy organizational culture, patient safety, and professionalism. A culture of safety and respect in sites of healthcare education and work…

What Is the Role of Accreditation in Achieving Medical School Diversity?

Diversity standards in medical education accreditation do not guarantee diversity but do stimulate schools’ activities to recruit and retain diverse students and faculty. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s (LCME’s) accreditation standard addressing medical school diversity neither mandates which categories…