Hazel Biggs – författare

The book explores and explains the relationship between law and ethics in the context of medically related research in order to provide a practical guide to understanding for members of research ethics committees (RECs), professionals involved with medical research and those with an academic interest in the subject.

Healthcare Research Ethics and Law sets out the law as it relates to the functions of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) within the context of the process of ethical review and aims to be accessible and readily understood by REC members. Each chapter begins by locating the material within the practical context of ethical review and then provides a more theoretical and analytical discussion detailing how the theory and practice fit together. The key legal issues of confidentiality, consent and negligence are addressed in detail, alongside practical guidance as to how and when liability may be incurred in these areas. In addition, the practical and legal implications of the implementation of European Directive 2001/20/EC, the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 are considered alongside a discussion of their socio-political background and relevance for medical research in the UK.

The book explores and explains the relationship between law and ethics in the context of medically related research in order to provide a practical guide to understanding for members of research ethics committees (RECs), professionals involved with medical research and those with an academic interest in the subject.

Healthcare Research Ethics and Law sets out the law as it relates to the functions of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) within the context of the process of ethical review and aims to be accessible and readily understood by REC members. Each chapter begins by locating the material within the practical context of ethical review and then provides a more theoretical and analytical discussion detailing how the theory and practice fit together. The key legal issues of confidentiality, consent and negligence are addressed in detail, alongside practical guidance as to how and when liability may be incurred in these areas. In addition, the practical and legal implications of the implementation of European Directive 2001/20/EC, the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 are considered alongside a discussion of their socio-political background and relevance for medical research in the UK.

Focusing on a matter of continuing contemporary significance, this book is the first work to offer an in-depth exploration of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship. It provides a theoretical analysis of the concept of exploitation, setting out exploitation’s essential elements within the authors’ account of wrongful exploitation. It then presents a contextual analysis of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship, considering the dynamics of this fiduciary relationship, the significance of vulnerability, and the reasons why exploitation in this relationship is particularly wrongful. Two case studies – sexual exploitation and assisted dying – are employed to assess what the appropriate legal, ethical and regulatory responses to exploitation should be, to identify common themes regarding the doctor’s behaviour (such as the use of undue influence as a conduit through which to take advantage of and misuse patients), and to illustrate the effects of exploitation on patients. A recurring question addressed is how exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship is and should be dealt with by ethics, regulators and the law, and whether exploitation in this relationship is a special case.

The book provides a critical, interdisciplinary evaluation of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship that will be of interest to health care lawyers, bioethicists, legal academics and practitioners, health care professionals and policymakers.

Focusing on a matter of continuing contemporary significance, this book is the first work to offer an in-depth exploration of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship. It provides a theoretical analysis of the concept of exploitation, setting out exploitation’s essential elements within the authors’ account of wrongful exploitation. It then presents a contextual analysis of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship, considering the dynamics of this fiduciary relationship, the significance of vulnerability, and the reasons why exploitation in this relationship is particularly wrongful. Two case studies – sexual exploitation and assisted dying – are employed to assess what the appropriate legal, ethical and regulatory responses to exploitation should be, to identify common themes regarding the doctor’s behaviour (such as the use of undue influence as a conduit through which to take advantage of and misuse patients), and to illustrate the effects of exploitation on patients. A recurring question addressed is how exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship is and should be dealt with by ethics, regulators and the law, and whether exploitation in this relationship is a special case.

The book provides a critical, interdisciplinary evaluation of exploitation in the doctor-patient relationship that will be of interest to health care lawyers, bioethicists, legal academics and practitioners, health care professionals and policymakers.