INTRODUCTION The epidemiologic literature has consistently shown that black women and men have a higher bone mineral density (BMD) and a lower incidence of osteoporotic fracture compared to age- and sex-matched whites. The lower rate of fractures among blacks has been attributed to their higher BMD levels, but other factors could contribute. Furthermore, the relationship [...]

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SECTION THREE: MODES OF IMPLEMENTATION This essay has examined diversity rights claims within the medical profession systemically—especially in its manner of training and admitting new practitioners to orthopedic surgery. If the above argument is correct, increasing diversity among African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and women in orthopedic surgery is necessary for moral and prudential reasons. [...]

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SECTION TWO: THE PRUDENTIAL ARGUMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY At this point, our argument takes a rather different direction. We contend that (ethics aside) a profession that is more diverse in its membership will be more excellent in the execution of its functional tasks than one that is not diverse. For purposes of clarification, we will [...]

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So far this essay has contended that morality demands proportional diversity in the professions (based upon the puzzle-maker model of merit). This section will also argue for the ethical foundations of proportional diversity within the professions via an argument that goes to the nature of professional ethics itself: the contract with the host society. On [...]

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SECTION ONE: THE MORAL ARGUMENT FOR PROPORTIONAL DIVERSITY In this section of the paper, two aspects of the moral argument will be explored. First, a general moral argument will be presented on the basis of merit considerations. Second, an argument based upon professional ethics will be put forth.

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INTRODUCTION To begin, it is important to introduce the two authors of this paper. Richard Grant is an orthopedic surgeon with national credentials serving on numerous governing boards. Michael Boylan is a philosopher who has written on medical ethics. The two of us began this paper over a year ago in various discussions we had [...]

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Our patient is unique in that he has ischemic cardiomyopathy with a focal origin for his VF. Polymorphic VT/VF and electrical storm occurring in this setting are often attributed to acute ischemia or electrolyte abnormalities, and this was not noted in our patient. Although focal origin of VT and successful catheter ablation of VT have [...]

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