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Table 4 Number of publications with arguments related to the dimensions and questions of Hofmann's question list

From: Ethical issues in autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in advanced breast cancer: A systematic literature review

Dimension/Question

Number of publications with related arguments (N = 102)

Moral issues

81

Q1 What are the morally relevant consequences of the implementation of the technology?

18

Q2 Does the implementation or use of the technology challenge patient autonomy?

24

Q3 Does the technology violate or interfere with basic human rights in any way?

2

Q4 Does the technology challenge human integrity?

9

Q5 Does the technology challenge human dignity?

4

Q6 Will there be a moral obligation related to the implementation and use of a technology?

11

Q7 Does the technology challenge social values and arrangements?

3

Q8 Does the widespread use of the technology change our conception of certain persons?

0

Q9 Does the technology contest religious, social or cultural convictions?

1

Q10 Can the use of the technology in any way challenge relevant law?

2

Q11 How does the assessed technology relate to more general critiques of modern medicine?

16

Q12 Are there any related technologies that have turned out to be morally challenging?

2

Q13 Does the technology in any way challenge or change the relationship between physician and patient?

5

Q14 How does the implementation of the technology affect the distribution of health care?

23

Q15 How does the technology contribute to or challenge professional autonomy?

2

Q16 Can the technology harm the patient?

23

Questions with respect to stakeholders

19

Q17 What patient group is the beneficiary of the technology?

10

Q18 Are there third party agents involved?

5

Q19 What are the interests of the users of the technology?

7

Q20 What are the interests of the producers of technology (industry, universities)?

1

Questions Related to Technology

11

Q21 Are there moral challenges related to components of a technology that are relevant to the technology as such?

1

Q22 What is the characteristic of the technology to be assessed?

2

Q23 Is the symbolic value of the technology of any moral relevance?

9

Moral Aspects of Methodological Choices

35

Q24 Are there morally relevant issues related to the choice of end points in the assessment?

19

Q25 Are there morally relevant issues related to the selection of meta-analysis and studies to be included in the HTA?

9

Q26 Are the users of the technology in the studies representative of the users that will apply it in clinical practice?

5

Q27 Are there morally relevant aspects with respect to the level of generalisation?

2

Q28 Are there moral issues in research ethics that are important to HTAs?

18

Questions Related to Technology Assessment

9

Q29 What are the reasons that this technology is selected to be assessed?

2

Q30 What are the interests of the persons participating in the technology assessment?

0

Q31 At what time in the development of the technology is it assessed?

1

Q32 Are there related technologies that have or have not been assessed?

4

Q33 What are the moral consequences of the HTA?

2

  1. (N = 102)