Monthly Archives: February 2013

Ethics and ethical decision making: Case studies and discussions.

Age gracefully and live longer.

The capacity to enjoy life well into your old age is sometimes denied by all kinds of degenerative diseases. Regrettably, the information you need to enable you to prevent the diseases is found in hundreds of scientific papers that are not easily accessible by the general public. The result is that most people suffer from the diseases and die prematurely while knowledge of how to prevent or cure their condition already exists. For the first time, the work of many world scientists concerned with the causes and preventions of degenerative diseases of ageing have been put together in a single book.

To the best of our knowledge, there is no recorded evidence of death from old age; majority of deaths are due to natural causes. The 2002 world report on Violence and Health published by the World Health Organization (WHO, Geneva) identified ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, lower respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes as among the 10 major causes of death in all 38 of its member states in the mid-1990s. Dr. Clayton, an eminent British scholar posited: if you can cut your risk of dyeing from these degenerative diseases, you automatically give yourself the chance of not just a longer life but a longer quality of life. The information on how to cut the risks of dyeing from the degenerative diseases is contained in hundreds of medical discoveries and trials published in internationally recognised scientific journals on which the book, “Degenerative diseases of ageing: causes and prevention”, is based.

The book presents the findings of studies of present state of knowledge regarding the causes and preventions of degenerative diseases of ageing using systematic review of scientific literature. A systematic review as used in the book involves a formalised approach to identifying and synthesising the results of research studies, especially controlled trials, and dissemination of subsequent information for the benefit of the general public. By using this approach, it became possible to review most of the world’s best-known scientific research on methods of preventing the ravages of degenerative diseases of ageing and extension of maximum life span. The outcome of the systematic review is presented in the five chapters of the book.

Reviews and endorsements:

“Recommended book for anyone, professional or lay person who ever wondered what growing old means physically and what they can do about it. Dr. Icheku’ s book, Degenerative diseases of ageing: Causes and Preventions provides an evidence based account of how to combat disease of ageing and improve overall quality of life as you are growing old.” By Dr. Nike Arowobusoye, M.B.B.S., MSc, (A member of the Faculty of Public Health, UK)

 “The chapter on stem cell research gives a clear outline of why this work is of interest in the field of regenerative medicine and many of the obstacles, both scientific and ethical that must be overcome for this work to realise its potential in the clinic.” By Dr. S.H. Cedar, Bsc.,Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University.

“Keeping physically active and good nutrition is the key to good health and long life span. In this book, Dr Vincent Icheku provides us with yet more compelling evidence in a well-researched piece of work. The book, “Degenerative diseases of ageing: Causes and Preventions” is a must read for anyone interested in remaining healthy and increasing his/her life span.” By Karen Thorne, Senior Lecturer, Exercise and Health, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University.

“This is a much needed book in response to the present day quest for longevity. Dr. Icheku has responded brilliantly to this by providing a much-needed wealth of scientific evidence in support of the suggestions and advice he clearly and logically presented in this book. This is very much in contrast to the anecdotal perspectives frequently seen in magazines. Although some part of the book is a culmination of the scientific findings, but the whole book makes compelling reading about causes, consequences and preventive measures of degenerative diseases of ageing. There is something in this book for everyone.” By Chioma A Onyedinma-Ndubueze, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Haemoglobinopathies) and Senior Lecturer, Adult Nursing, London South Bank University.”

Book content:

Acknowledgement, VI; Preface, VIII; About the book, X; Health experts’ reviews and comments, XVII; Chapter 1; INTRODUCTION, 1; 1) Danger signs of ageing and remedies, 3; Chapter 2; CAUSES AND PREVENTIONS OF DEGENERATIVE DISEASES OF AGEING, 40; 2) Free radical and ageing, 42; 3) Preventing free radicals induced ageing, 51; 4) Glycation and ageing, 63; 5) Preventing glycation induced ageing, 65; 6) Mitochondrial decay and ageing, 68; 7) Preventing ageing induced mitochondria decay, 73; 8) Inflammation and Ageing, 82; 9) Preventing inflammatory conditions of ageing, 86; 10) Immune system deficiency and ageing, 94; 11) Preventing immune system deficiency, 96; 12) Dietary restriction and ageing, 101; 13) Dietary restriction plans, 105; 14) Starch Neutraliser, 121; 15) Stress and ageing, 125; 16) Managing your stress, 129; 17) Mobile phone radiation and prevention, 133. Chapters; ANTI-AGEING THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS, 139; 18) Hormonal Anti-ageing treatment, 140; 19) Criticisms of hormonal treatment, 147; 20) Gerovital G3 anti-ageing treatment, 150; 21) DHEA anti-ageing treatment, 155; 22) Melatonin anti-ageing treatment, 159; Chapter 4; FUTURE OF ANTI AGEING TREATMENT, 167; 23) Therapeutic cloning technology, 167; 24) Therapeutic stem cells’ technology, 173; 25) Ethical issues in cloning and stem cells technologies, 178; Chapters; MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH, 184; 26) Minerals and your health, 185; 27) Vitamins and your health, 191; 28) Water and your health, 201; 29) Salt and your health, 205; 30) Physical exercises and your health, 211; Conclusion, 221; Bibliography, 225; Useful addresses, 243.

This is a synopsis of the book: “Degenerative diseases of ageing: causes and preventions”. Click on the following links to get your copy:

E-book: http://tinyurl.com/crbxng2

Paperback: http://www.sgwilliamspublishing.co.uk/Health-and-Social-Care.html

The book is mainly written for nursing and social work students but is firmly grounded in practice examples. The intention is to prepare the students to deal with ethical problems in practice placement. Thus, it discusses, among other things, the ethical theories and principles, and uses case study discussions to demonstrate application of the ethical theories, principles, and models to practice problems.

Peers Review and Endorsements

“The book drew from the work of many scholars and designed a simple model to help students gain the knowledge of ethical analysis and decision making”. Vidal Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Law and Ethics, London South Bank University

 “I was impressed by the way this author consistently addressed both social work and nursing ethical issues, highlighting the importance of ethics and application in nursing and social work practice”. Michelle Evans, Senior lecturer in Learning Disability/Mental Health and Social Work, London South Bank University.

“Most other published books on nursing and social work ethics are often laden with theories and principles. This book offers an excellent contribution to the understanding of the relationship between learning ethical theories and principles and their practice applications”. Jude C. Ibe, Principal lecturer in Dept. of Family Care and Mental Health; University of Greenwich, London

Organisation of the book

Through carefully constructed chapters, the book provides details on the essential aspects of ethical knowledge that students need to work through ethical problems and make sound decisions:

We begin in Chapter 1 by examining several relevant and important themes in contemporary nursing and social work practice. These themes are ethics and branches of ethics, morals, and values. This is to help readers learn or reinforce existing knowledge of the themes.

Chapter 2 explores the main reasons given for ethics in nursing and social work education. The themes discussed include the need to meet requirements of the law, develop knowledge required for dealing with ethical dilemmas, gain knowledge of how to handle conflict that may arise in relationship with other professionals, and deal with cultural diversity of patient and client groups. The chapter argues for ethical education, which is crucial in terms of  achieving the goals.

The focus of Chapter 3 is firmly on consideration of nursing and social work as moral practice and duties to act ethically. The themes covered include duty to protect vulnerable people, duty to act as patient’s or client’s advocate, duty to assess potential risks and empower those in care, the need to work within ethical standards and laws, and the duty to maintain confidentiality of information within professional boundaries.

Chapter 4 explores values of the three ethical theories that prescribe morally right actions. The chapter also examines some of the major criticisms of the individual theories and discusses how they differ from each other.

Chapter 5 explores the four ethical principles and how they inform nursing and social work practice. As conflicting principles often give rise to ethical dilemma, the chapter discusses model for screening ethical principles and use case studies and discussions to illustrate how ethical dilemma could be resolved by identifying and applying the principle or legal obligation that take precedence over the others.

Chapter 6 examines the common ethical issues and dilemmas nursing and social work professionals usually face in practice. The issues discussed include conflicting moral imperative, informed consent, best interest, and giving information and equitable distribution of services and resources.

Chapter 7 clearly defines moral reasoning and discusses ethical principles, values, and legal-based approaches as basis for resolving ethical dilemmas and making decisions. The chapter also uses case study discussions to illustrate values of the approaches.

Chapter 8 discusses the values of models in ethical decision-making and proposes a simple model to aid analysis of ethical dilemmas and decision making. The chapter drew from the work of many scholars who had written on ethical decision-making models in order to develop a supportive approach that guide ethical decisions in nursing and social work practice. In addition, uses case studies and discussions to illustrate use of the model in ethical decision-making process.

A chapter summary is provided at the end of each of the eight chapters. The book concludes with a brief summary of how the aim of the book was met and areas requiring future research and publications.

About the Author

Dr. Vincent Icheku is a senior lecturer in ethics and law, London South Bank University where he has been leading the ethics and law unit. His teaching and research interest are: ethical issues in end of life care, evidence base practice, ethical decision making and framework for ethical analysis and decision making. He successfully developed the SIAC model for ethical analysis and decision making. He holds degrees in social sciences, and health studies respectively; and also doctorate degree in sociology and post-graduate diploma in legal studies. He has taught for eleven years on the subject of ethics, to both nursing and social work students in Further and Higher Education.

This is a synopsis of the book: “Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision making”. Click on the following links to get your copy:  E-book: http://tinyurl.com/cprezp2 Paperback: http://www.sgwilliamspublishing.co.uk/Ethics-and-Values.html