Informed consent (2002)
In this body of work, I explore the notion of “informed consent”. Patients expect doctors to fully disclose the nature of their illness and be properly informed of all risks and alternatives. Informed consent (as an ethical principle) underlies the patient / physician relationship and is based upon trust, communication and patient autonomy. Often the degree of disclosure is compromised. Physicians rarely take time to discuss each and every alternative, or might omit elements of treatment options in order to influence the patient’s decision. Each piece refers to a medical or insurance related “principle”. The Hippocratic Oath, Gag Rule, Quality Adjusted Life Years, or Official Rate of Error. My wish is that once individuals have accepted the role of patient, they actively question physicians, educate themselves and actively participate in their own health care.
Official Rate of Error (2001)
Glass, aspirin, steel, plastic, rubber, ink
23” x 6.5” x 9”
Beneficence (2001)
Bronze, steel, fuel line, rubber, plastic
9.5” x 9.5” x 2”
Judicious Care (2002)
Cherry, medical corset, bronze powder, resin, steel, cotton
20” x 35.5” x 5”
Conflict of Interest (neckbrace) (2001)
Copper
6” x 6” x 6”
Gag Rule (2001)
Gag Rule: physician is prevented from disclosing treatment options not covered by insurance plan
Aluminum, rubber, ceramic over steel
17” x 14” x 8”
Quality Adjusted Life Years (2001)
QALY: calculation which considers the cost of treatment, years of life saved, and amount of improvement in quality of life
Iron, bronze, wood, chrome steel, plastic, brass
21” x 22” x 9”
Gaming the System (2002)
Gaming the System: re-describing a diagnosis by stretching the truth to get managed care plan to pay for treatment
Iron, wood, rubber, plastic
14” x 14” x 3.5”
First, Do No Harm - Hippocratic Oath (2001)
Lead, plastic, aspirin
3” x 4” x 4”
Hippocratic Oath
I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Hygieia, and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this oath and this stipulation - to reckon him who taught me this art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others.
I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such course; and in like manner I will not give a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass by life and practice my art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work.
Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and further, from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret.
While I continue to keep this oath inviolate, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all time! But should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot!
Hippocrates of Cos 460-379 b.c.
Works, translated by Francis Adams (London 1849), Vol. 1, pp 278-80