Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
07:48
Working with Human Tissues for Translational Cancer Research
Published on: November 26, 2015
Does informed consent exempt Japanese doctors from reporting therapeutic deaths?
H Ikegaya1, K Kawai, Y Kikuchi
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. ikegaya@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Journal of Medical Ethics
|February 1, 2006
Summary
Japanese physicians often hesitate to report potential therapeutic deaths (PTDs), even those involving gross negligence. This reluctance stems from a misunderstanding of reporting duties and a flawed death investigation system.
Area of Science:
- Medical Law
- Forensic Medicine
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Japanese Medical Act Section 21 mandates reporting of unnatural deaths, but the term lacks legal definition.
- Physicians show reluctance in reporting potential therapeutic deaths (PTDs), deaths potentially linked to medical practice.
- Guidelines define PTDs as unexpected deaths of unknown cause potentially related to medical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether Japanese physicians would report hypothetical potential therapeutic deaths (PTDs).
- To understand the factors influencing physicians' decisions regarding reporting PTDs.
Main Methods:
- Survey of physicians regarding their willingness to report eight hypothetical PTD scenarios.
- Analysis of factors such as informed consent and post-death explanations in reporting decisions.
Main Results:
- 60% of participants would not report gross negligence involving overdose, even with informed consent or post-death explanation.
- Physicians mistakenly believe informed consent exempts them from PTD reporting duties.
- The current death investigation system prioritizes crime detection over determining the cause of death.
Conclusions:
- Japanese physicians' attitudes towards reporting PTDs are influenced by a flawed death investigation system.
- A pilot study by an independent organization is planned to investigate PTDs and prevent gross negligence deaths.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Nurses' Legal Responsibilities I
In healthcare, informed consent is a crucial process that involves thoroughly communicating medical treatment options to patients, including benefits, risks, potential side effects, and alternatives. This process enables patients to make well-informed decisions about their care, ensuring they understand the implications of their choices before consenting to or refusing treatment.
The legal responsibilities of a nurse regarding informed consent include the following:
The legal responsibilities of a nurse regarding informed consent include the following:
01:25Drug Regulation
Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
01:30Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:23Ethical Standards II
Ethical standards are the backbone of nursing practice, guiding nurses as they interact with patients, families, and colleagues. These standards are crucial for providing safe, empathetic care centered on the patient's needs.
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy and...
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy and...
01:19Pharmacovigilance
Post-marketing surveillance is a critical component of pharmaceutical regulation, often uncovering unanticipated adverse drug reactions (ADRs) once a drug is widely used over an extended period.
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...