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How Bioethics Can Enrich Medical-Legal Collaborations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Amy T. Campbell ,
Jay Sicklick ,
Paula Galowitz ,
Randye Retkin  and
Stewart B. Fleishman
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Extract

Medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) — collaborative endeavors between health care clinicians and lawyers to more effectively address issues impacting health care — have proliferated over the past decade. The goal of this interdisciplinary approach is to improve the health outcomes and quality of life of patients and families, recognizing the many non-medical influences on health care and thus the value of an interdisciplinary team to enhance health. There are currently over 180 MLPs at over 200 hospitals and health centers in the United States, with increasing federal interest and potential legislative support of this model.

This article examines the unique, interrelated, and often similar (although at times conflicting) ethical issues that confront the clinical and legal partners involved in MLPs. We contend that the ethical precepts of the clinical and legal professions should be seen as opportunities, not barriers, to further the interdisciplinary nature of MLPs.

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Independent
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 38 , Issue 4 , Winter 2010 , pp. 847 - 862
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2010

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References

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