Ethics and human values committee survey: (AMI Denver Hospitals: Saint Luke's, Presbyterian Denver, Presbyterian Aurora: Summer 1989). A study of physician attitudes and perceptions of a hospital ethics committee.

By studying physician perceptions of the Hospital Ethics Committee (HEC), the committee can determine (1) what areas the committee should concentrate on, and (2) how it is perceived by the physician community. The topics covered by the study included whether or not a HEC is needed in any hospital system, as well as the specific need within AMI Denver hospitals. In addition, the physician participants discussed what departments should be represented on the HEC and what topics it should study and discuss. By discussing the perceived effectiveness and the ideal function of HECs the physicians were able to provide the committee with many concrete suggestions to improve its effectiveness and visibility within the hospital community. Most of the advice is captured in one physician's words: "Be Visible and Credible."