Concluding comments

Micah Hester, reflecting on the case he presented in this book, eloquently articulates the notion of haunting presented throughout this volume:

His description encapsulates the variety of ways that authors characterized their haunting cases. In addition to the consultants being haunted, broad conceptual themes tie the cases in this book together. First, every author strives to act with integrity, which requires a combination of being true to oneself and one's profession, adhering to standards and rules, and remaining creative, flexible, and fair. At the beginning of this text, Macauley and Orr initiate the theme of integrity by telling a story of doubt, self-scrutiny, collaboration, forgiveness, and courage. Every subsequent essay implicitly or explicitly addresses personal or professional integrity. Authors describe challenges that a maturing profession should address. Sufficient time has elapsed for full consideration, debate, and incorporation of the American Society for Bioethics and the Humanities' The Core Competencies in Health Care Ethics Consultation, guidelines that have become our professional practice standards. The essays in this book demonstrate how these commitments to core standards “play out” in complex cases.