Ask An Ethicist

Guidance for Navigating Ethical Challenges in Medicine

To fulfill its mission of supporting internists in the ethical practice of medicine through education in clinical, organizational, and research ethics and professionalism, the Ethics Committee provides the opportunity to ask for assistance in appraising ethical issues. While we cannot provide clinical ethics consultation—or legal advice, we may be able to assist SGIM members in clarifying ethical issues involved in a particular case or situation and help members identify the appropriate resources for obtaining additional assistance. Members of the SGIM Ethics Committee have volunteered to provide this assistance, so we cannot commit to responding to time-sensitive inquiries, particularly those with very short timelines.