Abstract
Bioethics consultation typically concerns complex clinical situations and policy issues regarding patient care when there is disagreement or uncertainty regarding the most beneficial course of action. Bioethicists identify relevant obligations, deliberate through moral reasoning as a process of problem solving, and arrive at a justifiable action. Bioethics consultation is typically requested when there are competing values among involved persons regarding the appropriate direction for treatment. Consultation may also be requested when a patient's decisional capacity is uncertain or when it is uncertain who the appropriate surrogate is. One goal of bioethics consultation is improving the delivery of healthcare and its outcomes for a particular patient based on the patient's preferences, goals, and realistic achievable medical options. This is done through identification, analysis, and resolution of relevant ethical issues pertaining to the particular case at hand. Bioethics consultation begins with a request and optimally concludes with a written evaluation and recommendation for action.