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Biomedical subjects

R F Weir

Publications and source records attributed to R F Weir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Establishment of a successful donor embryo program: medical, ethical, and policy issues.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how couples prefer to dispose of their extra embryos and to establish a donor embryo program for the treatment of infertile couples. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University-based IVF program. PATIENT(S): Patients (n = 365) with cryopreserved embryos in storage for >2 years and eight patients who desired donated embryos for transfer. INTERVENTION(S): An IVF ethics committee was formed to discuss the ethical and policy issues involved in starting an embryo donation program and to establish program guidelines. Couples with embryos cryopreserved for > or = 2 years were contacted to determine their desires for disposition of embryos. Potential recipients of donated embryos were identified in our clinic, and donated embryos were transferred to these patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Desires for embryo disposition and pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): Most couples elected either to continue storage of their embryos for future use (44%) or to discard their embryos (34%). A minority elected to donate their embryos either to infertile couples (11%) or for research (10%). Eight couples have had donated embryos transferred, and four have conceived ongoing pregnancies. CONCLUSION(S): Although only a small percentage of couples are willing to donate their embryos, the resulting number of embryos for use is substantial. Transfer of donated embryos results in a high pregnancy rate and is a cost-effective treatment of infertility.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1997

A portable, real-time, clinical gait velocity analysis system.

A direct ultrasound ranging system (DURS) has been developed for the quantitative evaluation of gait velocity. DURS consists of a transponder worn by the subject, a base unit infrared (IR) emitter/ultrasound (US) receiver, and a laptop computer. During gait analysis the transponder is worn by the subject at the approximate level of the body center of mass. As the subject walks away from the base unit his or her forward progression is displayed in real-time on the computer. At the end of the walking trial the instantaneous velocity profile, or gait velocigram (GVG), for that trial is displayed on the computer screen. From the GVG, parameters such as, gait speed, cadence, step length, step time, peak-to-peak variation, and time to achieve steady state walking are calculated and displayed. In addition gait deviations are readily apparent on the GVG.

Biomedical Engineering↗
PubMed1996

Patients' views about physician participation in assisted suicide and euthanasia.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of physician participation in physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia on the physician-patient relationship. DESIGN: A questionnaire administered to 228 adult patients. SETTING: A university-based family practice training program. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: We approached 230 individuals of at least 19 years of age who were patients in the study practice. These individuals were selected on the basis of age and gender to ensure a heterogeneous study population. Of these, 228 agreed to participate and completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of subjects felt that a physician who assists with suicide or performs euthanasia is capable of being a caring person (91% and 88%, respectively) and would still be able to offer emotional support to surviving family members (85% and 70%, respectively). Most also felt that a physician assisting in suicide or euthanasia would be as trustworthy as a nonparticipating physician to care for critically ill patients (90.5% and 84.6%, respectively). Five percent "likely would not" continue to see their physician if it was known that he or she assisted in suicide and 7.8% "likely would not" continue seeing their physician if it was known that this physician performed euthanasia. No individuals stated that they "definitely would not" continue seeing their doctor under either circumstance. Individuals who supported the ideas of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia were more likely to think that a physician who assisted with suicide and euthanasia could perform well in the tasks noted above and would be more likely to continue seeing such a physician (p = .001). CONCLUSION: Participating in physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia does not markedly adversely affect the physician-patient relationship.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Genetic research, adolescents, and informed consent.

The participation of adolescents in genetic research engenders unusual problems concerning the nature of their informed consent. In this study we analyze 70 consent documents collected from genetics investigators in the United States who conduct research with children and adolescents. We find that many consent documents do not reflect either the current or the developing ethical and legal standards for research with adolescents and that in many cases the documents are simply confusing or unclear. We make recommendations for change to reflect more adequately the changing perspective concerning the autonomous decision-making capacity of adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Life and death choices after Cruzan: case law and standards of professional conduct.

Medical practitioners often feel obligated to use all available procedures to sustain patients' lives. A review of case law indicates, however, that practitioners who abate treatment that is contrary to people's known preferences or current best interests act legally and in accordance with the highest professional standards. In the case of Nancy Cruzan, the Supreme Court delegated to the states the determination whether to respect the rights of nonautonomous patients to die with dignity. States should enact creative laws to encourage families and physicians to discuss final care, and assist people in making clear and simple statements about their preferences.

Advance Directives↗
PubMed1989

Selective nontreatment of neurologically impaired neonates.

We are convinced that a best-interests approach is the best approach to take in making decisions to treat or not to treat disabled young infants. Such an approach acknowledges that there are some medical conditions that are so severe that efforts to sustain the lives of infants having the conditions cannot be said to be in the best interests of those infants. By paying attention to the variables that compose the best-interests approach, decision makers can arrive at decisions not to sustain life that are more easily justifiable than with any other approach.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMed1985

Selective nontreatment--one year later: reflections and a response.

The author describes the personal and social context in which Selective Nontreatment of Handicapped Newborns was written. He gives an account of events pertaining to the selective nontreatment of handicapped newborns that have taken place in the United States since the writing of the book. Finally, he responds to the major criticisms of the book put forth by the four reviewers.

Persons with Disabilities↗