Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee supports the mission of SGIM by promoting the ethical practice of general internal medicine, addressing ethical issues in clinical practice, research and health policy, and relieving moral distress caused by conflicts about such issues.  It does so by:

• Supporting internists in the ethical practice of medicine through education in clinical, organizational, and research ethics and professionalism;
• Developing policies and procedures to support ethical practice in clinical and research settings;
• Collaborating with other committees, groups, and Council when policies or programs under consideration have ethical implications;
• Reviewing potential conflicts of interest of nominees for SGIM leadership positions;
• Advising SGIM leaders and members about how to manage conflicts of interest (financial and non-financial) which may arise at the individual and organizational/institutional level;
• Mentoring faculty and fellows to achieve successful careers in ethics in GIM and;
• Conducting original research on contemporary ethical issues.

Resources:

Ask an Ethicist

Committee Publications:

1. Can Pay for Performance be Ethical?
   Apr. 28, 2009
   
2. The Patient-Centered Medical Home: An Ethical Analysis of Principles and Practice 
   July 25, 2012
   
3. Caring for “Very Important Patients” – Ethical Dilemmas and Suggestions for Practical Management
   April 9, 2015
4. Statement on Care for Undocumented Immigrants
   February, 2016
5. Ethical Issues in the Design and Implementation of Population Health Programs                                                                                                    December 18, 2017
6. Position on Physician Participation in Torture - published on behalf of Global Health and Rights Interest Group, Ethics Committee, and Health Policy Committee                                                                                January, 2018