An introduction to the work and writings of Mark Siegler

Abstract

Dr. Mark Siegler is a founder of the interdisciplinary field of clinical medical ethics. By insisting that ethical issues in medicine could be addressed through hypothesis-driven empirical research, Siegler transformed the theoretical field of bioethics and developed an area of study that directly addressed both the everyday realities of medicine and some of the most challenging ethical questions of the past half-century. Throughout his scholarly career, Siegler has written hundreds of papers on topics ranging from the teaching of clinical medical ethics to end-of-life decision-making and the ethics of advances in technology. His work has inspired the work of many other clinician ethicists, and his innovative approaches to the physician-patient relationship and ethics consultations are widely accepted today as the premier way to provide high-level clinical care. Students and graduates from his interdisciplinary fellowship training program in clinical medical ethics have expanded on Siegler's body of work and brought his theories and teachings to every corner of the globe.