An ethical outcome is commensurate with the patient's good as he or she helps to determine it, given the medical facts and personal circumstances. Outcome and process are linked in ethics consultation. Enhancing the doctor-patient relationship and spending enough careful, attentive time with patients are key ways of effecting good outcomes. The process of ethics consultation involves follow-up. The consultant attempts to see patients the day after the initial consultation.
Cases change quickly, and different issues can arise overnight.
Patients and requesting physicians appreciate having a consultant follow the case closely. Follow-up demonstrates that the consultant is concerned about the patient.