Ethics in brain injury medicine

This chapter focuses on three core areas of ethical concern that span the range of brain injury medicine, including quality of life (QOL), respect for autonomy, and societal obligations/social justice. QOL is also foundational to the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, which “aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons.” A criterion that has long been used to justify restraining an individual’s autonomy or liberty is the degree to which his or her behavior threatens harm to himself or herself, or to others. Societal obligations include human rights for people with brain injuries. These include the right to life with dignity, health, benefit from scientific progress, education, freedom of expression, community, family, and equality.