St. Luke’s hosts ethical conference on balancing doctor expertise and patient choice

According to the principle of patient autonomy, competent patients have the right to choose among medically recommended treatments and refuse any treatment they do not want. Decisions about medical treatment may be influenced by the patient's psychological state, family history, culture, values, and religious beliefs.

Once informed by their doctors about their illnesses and medical options, patients also have the right to forego treatment. This patient autonomy can become an ethical issue in healthcare. St. Luke’s is hosting an upcoming conference to provide current information on ethical issues that confront healthcare professionals in their home, community and work environments. The conference is intended for healthcare professionals, clergy, family caregivers and other interested individuals.

St. Luke’s is hosting the third annual R. Thomas Stewart Clinical Ethics Conference on Friday, June 18, 2010 at the Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel. The featured speaker is Jennifer Swaim, PhD, medical psychologist at St. Luke’s Hospital.

In addition to Swaim’s appearance there will be several other speakers, which include: Mary Ann Osborn, St. Luke’s Hospital Chief Clinical Officer; Diane Kutzo, an attorney with Shuttleworth & Ingersoll and Registered Nurse Linda Briggs, from Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation, in LaCrosse, WI.

What:             Third Annual R. Thomas Stewart Clinical Ethics Conference

Where:           Cedar Rapids Marriott Hotel, 1200 Collins Road NE, Cedar Rapids

When:            Friday, June 18, 2010

                     Registration starts at 7:30 a.m.

                     Program 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Who:              Anyone interested in learning more about the most common ways patient autonomy          becomes an ethical issue in healthcare.

How:              Register by calling 319/369-8750 or at stlukescr.org – click classes/events

Cost:               Retired nurses $35
                      Undergraduate student nurses $35
                      St. Luke’s and Iowa Health System employees and volunteers $50
                      Others $80

This event is sponsored a generous contribution from the R. Tom Stewart endowment fund and St. Luke’s Hospital.