Neurosurgical interventions have the potential to change a person's concept of self, as well as affect their neurological and cognitive function to an unacceptable level for both patient and family. In an increasingly complex and evolving field, the ethical implications of treatments and their eventual outcomes must be carefully balanced. Ethics in Neurosurgical Practice is a comprehensive and practical guide for managing the treatment of patients with debilitating neurosurgical conditions. Chapters address specific conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, ischemic stroke and spinal surgery, and the ethical challenges that each of these pose. Detailed case studies present potential scenarios that readers might encounter, and their outcomes. Future developments of this fast-paced field are expanded upon, including televised live surgery and the ethical aspects of innovation in neurosurgery. A broad variety of contributors in different fields, including neurosurgeons, intensivists and bioethicists, ensures comprehensive coverage from a range of views and experiences.

This work informs about major changes in health care systems at present and to come, and the ethical consequences. Rapid technological developments, especially in the fields of communication and virtual communication, artificial intelligence, implanted brain chips, augmented reality, in situ real-time pathological diagnosis of lesions during surgery, and others are challenging aspects of neurosciences in particular and medicine in general. Most of these modern technologies are available nowadays, just waiting to be tried and used. Ethicists (and neurosurgeons!) are facing unprecedented challenges as they have to be one step ahead in reading the future and predict what is coming and how the implementation of these technologies may affect patients’ safety, dignity, and autonomy. This book supports neurosurgeons and medical care providers to understand and implement the newly developed technologies, which will help advance medical care. Each chapter has been written by a world leader. Some of these authors are making the future and producing new advanced technologies. The authors discuss all the new innovations and the editors asked the authors to point out the ethical dilemmas if such technologies are implemented. The ethical questions are highlighted and suggestions are provided for solving such ethical problems to guarantee patient safety and dignity. According to the definition and principles of the Values-Based Medicine concept, the patient is the center of care, is the sole center of care. No compromising of patients’ well-being and safety can be allowed!

Over the last quarter of a century, the fields of medical ethics and of legal issues related to medical practice have rapidly developed for a number of reasons. Firstly, the provision of healthcare nowadays is based on a complicated partnership between healthcare providers, patients, administrators and organizations responsible for providing finance; this complicated partnership frequently results in clashes of views, opinions, and priorities, which have a major ethical and legal dimension. Secondly, a major event of the 21st century is the development of multicultural societies; healthcare-related decisions thus have to be made on the background of so many different ethnicities, religions, cultures and languages, resulting in a great spectrum of ethical and legal implications. Thirdly, in the modern world, people are more mobile and can easily and cost-effectively seek treatment outside of their country of origin or residence, which raises many ethical and legal issues. Lastly, the development of new medical specialties, modern and advanced treatments for very challenging patients, and the introduction of new technologies in medical practice have dramatically broadened the spectrum of ethical and legal issues related to medical practice. This book will therefore aim to cover in detail general principles and specific issues related to the ethical and legal dimensions of modern surgical practice.

This book is a combination of ideas and experiences from over 100 dedicated and brilliant neurosurgeons around the world. Their common goal is to provide data for a deeper understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of neurosurgery and, by doing so, to better serve patients across the globe. Scientific curiosity, deep dedication, incredible work ethics, entrepreneurship, and creativity are the common traits among all neurosurgeons, and not the exception. By allowing readers to see the field of neurosurgery from the perspectives of surgeons spanning five continents, this book serves to provide multiple, diverse viewpoints and to build a foundation for future collaborations. The book’s 24 chapters are organized into 3 parts. Part I provides the reader with an overview of the role of neurosurgery in worldwide health care, its evolution over the past decades, the current state and future directions of each neurosurgical subspecialty across the five continents. Over the years, the overarching goal for neurosurgeons has been to develop new, more effective and high-end solutions for complex diseases and to provide access to neurosurgical services for all patients. Part II discusses the differences and similarities of neurosurgery education and training across the globe, providing a snapshot of how new tools, technology, and paradigms reduce inequality and increase access to neurosurgical education. Educational accomplishments and challenges still present for the in different regions of the world are reviewed. Part III focuses on economic aspects influencing neurosurgery globally, including how to make efficient decisions in the face of scarcity, yet demand. The authors provide theories, models, and tools helpful to apply when planning to allocate resources, not just financial, but also human and intellectual. A deeper understanding of economics does not necessarily provide the answer to the problem; rather it provides the tools to find an answer, or, ideally, multiple possible solutions. Neurosurgery and Global Health is the first comprehensive guide to the role of neurosurgery in the global health care sphere, providing an in-depth compendium about the understanding of the neurosurgical role within global health, its efforts in the education of tomorrow’s workforce, and the economic aspects driving the field.

A comprehensive introduction and practical framework to bioethics, for all who are involved in the management of neurosurgical patients.

With rapid advancements in human enhancement technologies, society struggles with many issues, such as definition, effects, participation, regulation, and control. Current and future initiatives in these technologies may not be in the participants’ best interests; therefore, it is imperative for research on humanitarian considerations to be available to those affiliated with this field. Global Issues and Ethical Considerations in Human Enhancement Technologies compiles prestigious research and provides a well-rounded composite of the field’s role in emerging technologies. Addressing both present and future concerns, this publication serves as a valuable reference work for researchers, students, professionals, and practitioners involved in computer science and the humanities, as well as many engaged in a humanities approach to metasystems, new artificial life, and robotics.

Edited and written by an international "who's who" of more than 100 authors, including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, bench scientists, a surgeon, and representatives of industry, this text provides a comprehensive history of anesthesia, unique in its focus on the people and events that shaped the specialty around the world, particularly during the past 70 years when anesthesia emerged from empiricism and developed into a science-based practice.