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Objetivo: avaliar os fatores clínicos associados ao bem-estar das mulheres durante o trabalho de parto e parto à luz da bioética principialista e da deontologia. Método: estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa. Participaram 396 puérperas internadas em um hospital municipal do sudoeste da Bahia, e os dados foram coletados no período de janeiro a maio de 2023, após aprovação do comitê de ética em pesquisa. Os dados foram organizados no software Excel e analisados via SPSS v.25. a partir da regressão logística multinomial. Resultados: a maior parte da amostra apresentou bem-estar com assistência em saúde, mulheres que tiveram parto realizado por profissionais não médicos apresentaram mais chances de níveis de bem-estar "adequado". E mulheres que não tiveram a via de parto cesárea apresentaram aumento de chances de bem-estar. Conclusão: é necessário que os profissionais reflitam sobre suas ações, condicionando-as à humanização no parto, em observância aos princípios bioéticos.
Objective: to evaluate the clinical factors associated with women's well-being during labor and delivery in the light of bioethics principlism and deontology. Method: a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted. It involved 396 postpartum women admitted to a municipal hospital in the southwest of Bahia. Data were collected from January to May 2023, after approval from the research ethics committee. The data were tabulated using Excel software and analyzed using SPSS v.25 through Multinomial Logistic Regression. Results: majority of the sample exhibited well-being with health care assistance. Women who underwent delivery performed by non-medical professionals showed higher chances of "adequate" levels of well-being. Additionally, women who did not undergo cesarean delivery showed increased chances of well-being. Conclusion: It is necessary for professionals to reflect on their actions, conditioning them to the humanization of childbirth, according to bioethical principles.
Objetivo: evaluar los factores clínicos asociados al bienestar de la mujer durante el trabajo de parto y parto a la luz de la bioética y la deontología principialista. Método: estudio transversal con enfoque cuantitativo. Incluyó 396 puérperas ingresadas en un hospital municipal del suroeste de Bahía. Recolección de datos de enero a mayo de 2023, con aprobación del comité de ética en investigación. Los datos se tabularon en el software Excel y se analizaron mediante SPSS v.25. utilizando regresión logística multinomial. Resultados: la mayoría de las participantes de la muestra presentó bienestar con la atención para la salud; las que tuvieron partos realizados por profesionales no médicos tenían más probabilidades de tener niveles "adecuados" de bienestar; las que no tuvieron parto por cesárea tenían mayores probabilidades de tener bienestar. Conclusión: es necesario que los profesionales reflexionen sobre sus acciones y las adecuen para humanizar el parto, respetando los principios bioéticos.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: Including women of childbearing age in a clinical trial makes it necessary to consider two factors from a bioethical perspective: first, the lack of knowledge about the potential teratogenic effects of an investigational product, and also, the principle of justice not to exclude any population from the benefits of research. The most common way to address this issue is by requiring volunteers to use contraceptives before, during, and a few weeks after the clinical trial. This work presents all the strategies used to promote contraception use and prevent pregnancy during the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative Autosomal-Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (API ADAD) Colombia clinical trial. Two characteristics of this trial make it of special interest for closely monitoring contraception use. One is that the trial lasted more than 7 years, and the other is that participants could be carriers of the E280A PSEN1 mutation, leading to a mild cognitive impairment as early as their late 30s. METHODS: An individual medical evaluation to select the contraception method that best fits the volunteer was carried out during the screening visit, remitting to the gynecologist when necessary. All non-surgical contraception methods were supplied by the sponsor. Staff were trained on contraception counseling, correctly dispensing contraceptive drugs to volunteers, and identifying, reporting, and following up on pregnancies. Two comprehensive educational campaigns on contraception use were performed, and the intervention included all volunteers. In addition, volunteers were asked on an annual survey to evaluate the dispensing procedure. Finally, the effectiveness of these strategies was retrospectively evaluated, comparing by extrapolation the number of pregnancies presented throughout the trial with the General Fertility Rate in Colombia. RESULTS: A total of 159 female volunteers were recruited. All strategies were implemented as planned, even during the COVID-19 contingency. Ten pregnancies occurred during the evaluation period (2015-2021). Two were planned; the rest were associated with a potential therapeutic failure or incorrect use of contraceptive methods for a contraceptive failure of 0.49% per year. Sixty percent of pregnancies led to an abortion, either miscarriage or therapeutic abortion. However, there was not enough data to associate the pregnancy outcome with the administration of the investigational product. Finally, we observed a lower fertility rate in women participating in the trial compared to the Colombian population. CONCLUSION: The lower rates of contraceptive failure and the decrease in the incidence of pregnancies in women participating in the trial compared to the Colombian population across the 7 years of evaluation suggest that the strategies used in API ADAD Colombia were adequate and effective in addressing contraception use.
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The purpose of this paper is to delve into the ethical aspects experienced by the healthcare team when they receive the directive to limit therapeutic effort or a do-not-resuscitate order. From an interpretative, qualitative paradigm with a content analysis approach, a process based on three phases was conducted: pre-analysis in which categories were identified, the projection of the analysis, and inductive analysis. During 2023, interviews were conducted in the clinical setting of a high-complexity hospital in Chile with 56 members of the healthcare teams from critical and emergency units, from which four categories emerged: a) the risk of violating patients' rights by using do-not-resuscitate orders and limiting therapeutic effort; b) the gap in the interpretation of the legal framework addressing the care and attention of patients at the end of life or with terminal illnesses by the healthcare team; c) ethical conflicts in end-of-life care; and d) efficient care versus holistic care in patients with terminal illness. There are significant gaps in bioethics training and aspects of a good death in healthcare teams facing the directive to limit therapeutic effort and not resuscitate. It is suggested to train personnel and work on a consensus guide to address the ethical aspects of a good death.
El propósito de este trabajo es profundizar en los aspectos éticos que experimenta el equipo de salud cuando reciben la indicación de limitar el esfuerzo terapéutico o la orden de no reanimar. Desde un paradigma interpretativo, cualitativo y con un enfoque de análisis de contenido, se realizó un proceso basado en tres fases: preanálisis en el que se identificaron las categorías, la proyección del análisis y el análisis inductivo. Durante 2023, se realizaron entrevistas en el entorno clínico de un hospital de alta complejidad en Chile a 56 miembros de equipos de salud de unidades críticas y urgencias, de las que emergieron cuatro categorías: a) riesgo de vulnerar los derechos de los pacientes al utilizar la orden de no reanimar, y limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico; b) brecha en la interpretación del marco legal que aborda la atención y cuidado de pacientes al final de la vida, o con enfermedades terminales por parte del equipo de salud; c) conflictos éticos de la atención al final de la vida; y d) el cuidado eficiente o el cuidado holístico en pacientes con enfermedad terminal. Existen brechas importantes en la formación en bioética y aspectos del buen morir en los equipos de salud que se enfrentan a la orden de limitar el esfuerzo terapéutico y no reanimar. Se sugiere capacitar al personal, y trabajar una guía de consenso para abordar los aspectos éticos del buen morir.
Subject(s)
Patient Care Team , Qualitative Research , Resuscitation Orders , Terminal Care , Humans , Chile , Resuscitation Orders/ethics , Resuscitation Orders/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Care Team/ethics , Terminal Care/ethics , Patient Rights/ethics , Female , Male , Attitude of Health Personnel , Interviews as TopicABSTRACT
Introducción: las competencias bioéticas permiten abordar colectiva y críticamente, aspectos éticos involucrados en la práctica clínica. Pero, la deliberación ética simultánea de médico/as con enfermero/as, en pacientes no críticos, es inhabitual. Objetivo: constatar la percepción de médico/as y enfermero/as de un hospital de alta complejidad, sobre sus competencias bioéticas y deliberación sincrónica, en hospitalizados pediátricos sin riesgo vital. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal mediante encuesta, a médico/as y enfermero/as del servicio médico-quirúrgico infantil, sobre presencia, modalidad de enseñanza de bioética en pregrado, percepción de tener conocimiento bioético suficiente para aplicarlo clínicamente y si hubo análisis ético-clínico conjunto, en pacientes hospitalizados. Resultados: la mayoría de los encuestados 47/54 (87%) recibió formación teórica obligatoria en bioética durante el pregrado. De ellos, 19/29 (65,5%) médico/as y 11/18 (61,1%) enfermero/as reconocieron que esta formación fue insuficiente para aplicarla en el trabajo. 25/35 (71,4%) médicos, afirmó participar en deliberación ética antes de enviar un caso al comité de ética asistencial, pero esta deliberación ocasionalmente incluyó a enfermero/as ya que, sólo 2/19 (10,5%) de los enfermero/as señalaron intervenir en este tipo de deliberación. Conclusiones: médico/as y enfermero/as que trabajan en pediatría y cirugía infantil, perciben insuficiencias de formación en pregrado en bioética e impericia para aplicar contenidos a la práctica cotidiana. La deliberación ética sobre casos clínicos pediátricos de enfermero/as es esporádica respecto de médico/as en hospitalización médico-quirúrgica básica.
Introduction: Bioethical skills are essential for addressing, both collectively and critically, ethical issues that arise in clinical practice. However, joint ethical deliberation between physicians and nurses with non-critical patients is uncommon Objective: To study the perception of physicians and nurses regarding their bioethical skills in a high-complexity hospital and whether they engage in collective deliberation in units of pediatric inpatients not at vital risk. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted via a survey targeting physicians and nurses in the pediatric medical-surgical service. The survey inquired about the presence and modality of bioethics teaching during undergraduate education, the perception of having sufficient bioethical knowledge for clinical application, and whether joint ethical-clinical analysis was performed regarding hospitalized patients. Results: Most respondents, 47/54 (87%), had received mandatory theoretical training in bioethics during their undergraduate education. 19/29 (65.5%) physicians and 11/18 (61.1%) nurses acknowledged that this training was insufficient for application in their work. A high percentage of physicians, 19/29 (65.5%), claimed to carry out ethical analysis of cases before referring them to the healthcare ethics committee, occasionally including nurses since only 2/18 (11.1%) of the nurses indicated participation in such analysis. Conclusions: Medical and nursing professionals who work in pediatrics and children's surgery perceive insufficiencies in undergraduate training in bioethics issues and an inability to apply content to daily practice. Ethical deliberation on pediatric clinical cases by nurses is sporadic compared to doctors in basic medical-surgical hospitalization.
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RESUMO Estudo retrospectivo, observacional, transversal que analisou os encaminhamentos de 120 pacientes oncológicos para uma equipe de Cuidados Paliativos (CP) em hospital público de referência em oncologia no norte do Paraná, em fevereiro de 2020. Os dados foram coletados nos prontuários e analisados com base no suporte teórico da bioética. Observou-se que expressiva maioria dos pacientes 82,5% chegou ao hospital com doença avançada e 59,7% foram encaminhados para CP em menos de seis meses após a entrada no serviço. Parte importante dos pacientes chegou sem possibilidade de terapia específica oncológica, sendo, por isso, rapidamente encaminhados aos CP. Esses e outros achados da pesquisa sustentam uma discussão entre cuidados paliativos, atenção primária à saúde e diagnóstico oncológico tardio. O artigo conclui que, no contexto dos CP, as mortes relacionadas ao diagnóstico oncológico tardio, antecedidas de sofrimentos evitáveis e decorrentes de falhas estruturais em políticas públicas de saúde, expressam uma problemática forma de mistanásia.
ABSTRACT This retrospective study analyzed the referrals of 120 cancer patients to a Palliative Care (PC) team in a public oncology referral hospital in northern in northern Paraná, in February 2020. It was observed that the vast majority of patients (82.5%) arrived at the hospital with advanced disease, while 59.7% were referred to PC in less than six months after entering the service. An important part of the patients arrived with no possibility of specific oncological therapy, and were therefore quickly referred to PC. These and other research data support a discussion between palliative care, primary health care and late cancer diagnosis. The article concludes that, in the context of PC, deaths related to late cancer diagnosis, preceded by avoidable suffering due to structural failures in public health policies, are characterized as a problematic form of mysthanasia.
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Introducción: La esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) es la forma más común de enfermedad degenerativa de motoneurona en la edad adulta y es considerada una enfermedad terminal. Por lo mismo, el accionar del fonoaudiólogo debe considerar el respeto a los principios bioéticos básicos para garantizar una asistencia adecuada. Objetivo: Conocer aquellas consideraciones bioéticas relacionadas al manejo y estudio de personas con ELA para luego brindar una aproximación hacia el quehacer fonoaudiológico. Método: Se efectuó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus y SciELO. Se filtraron artículos publicados desde 2000 hasta junio de 2023 y fueron seleccionados aquellos que abordaban algún componente bioético en población con ELA. Resultados: Aspectos relacionados al uso del consentimiento informado y a la toma de decisiones compartidas destacaron como elementos esenciales para apoyar la autonomía de las personas. Conclusión: Una correcta comunicación y una toma de decisiones compartida son claves para respetar la autonomía de las personas. A su vez, la estandarización de procedimientos mediante la investigación clínica permitirá aportar al cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos de beneficencia y no maleficencia, indispensables para la práctica profesional.
Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of degenerative motor neuron disease in adulthood and is considered a terminal disease. For this reason, the actions of the speech therapist must consider respect for basic bioethical principles to guarantee adequate assistance. Objective: To know those bioethical considerations related to the management and study of people with ALS to then provide an approach to speech therapy. Methodology: A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases. Articles published from 2000 to June 2023 were filtered and those that addressed a bioethical component in the population with ALS were selected. Results: Aspects related to the use of informed consent and shared decision-making stood out as essential elements to support people's autonomy. Conclusion: Proper communication and shared decision-making are key to respecting people's autonomy. In turn, the standardization of procedures through clinical research will contribute to compliance with the bioethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, essential for professional practice.
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El artículo informa de una investigación acerca de la aplicación de los principios bioéticos del personalismo en la práctica hidroterapéutica a nivel internacional. Se usó una metodología cualitativa, de tipo fenomenológica, con un muestreo intencional y opinático. La muestra estuvo constituida por 12 terapeutas acuáticos seniors internacionales, quienes participaron en entrevistas semiestructuradas en modalidad online. Se realizó análisis de contenido categorial temático, con apoyo del software Atlas Ti, versión 9. Como resultado se levantaron cuatro principios del personalismo y tres categorías emergentes: valores, principio de vulnerabilidad y el principio costo-beneficio. Se concluye que la práctica hidroterapéutica es consistente con la corriente personalista. Emerge un principio del utilitarismo y de la Declaración de Barcelona, y valores tales como la honestidad, el respeto y la humildad. Se plantea la necesidad de profundizar en torno a los principios bioéticos del personalismo en la práctica acuática generalizada, como asimismo en los procesos formativos y en las competencias bioéticas adquiridas por los terapeutas.
Article reports an investigation into the application of the bioethical principles of personalism in hydrotherapeutic practice internationally. A qualitative, phenomenological, purposive and opinionated sampling methodology was used. The sample consisted of 12 international senior aquatic therapists, who participated in semi-structured online interviews. Thematic categorical content analysis was carried out with the support of Atlas Ti software, version 9. As a result, four principles of personalism and three emerging categories were identified: values, principle of vulnerability and the cost-benefit principle. It is concluded that hydrotherapeutic practice is consistent with the personalist current. A principle of utilitarianism and the Barcelona Declaration emerges, as well as values such as honesty, respect and humility. The need to deepen the bioethical principles of personalism in general aquatic practice, as well as in the training processes and bioethical competences acquired by therapists, is raised.
O artigo informa sobre uma investigação acerca da aplicação dos princípios bioéticos do personalismo na prática hidroterápica a nível internacional. Se utilizou uma metodologia qualitativa, de tipo fenomenológica, com uma amostra intencional e opinático. A amostra foi constituída por 12 terapeutas aquáticos seniors internacionais, que participaram em entrevistas semi-estruturadas na modalidade online. Realizou-se análise de conteúdo categorial temático, com apoio do software Atlas Ti, versão 9. Como resultado identificaram-se quatro princípios do personalismo e três categorias emergentes: valores, princípio de vulnerabilidade e o princípio custo-benefício. Concluiu-se que a prática hidroterápica é consistente com a corrente personalista. Emerge um princípio do utilitarismo e da Declaração de Barcelona, e valores tais como a honestidade, respeito e humildade. Se propõe a necessidade de aprofundar os princípios bioéticos do personalismo na prática aquática generalizada, bem como nos processos formativos e nas competências bioéticas adquiridas pelos terapeutas.
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The right to health is linked to life and human dignity. Among the instruments to make it effective, the phenomenon of health litigation has become prominent. In Brazil, courts are increasingly faced with the task of rendering verdicts concerning matters related to health. Nowadays, judges have to deal with issues about health policies, technology incorporations, drug supplies, human autonomy, genetics, and biotechnologies, among others. Lawsuit sentences are now to be built upon the resolution of ethical, legal and philosophical questions. Bioethics presents itself as an instrument and method to help solve legal cases involving the right to health. This paper intends to show that bioethics can be applied in verdicts of lawsuits regarding to right to health in Brazil. It highlights that bioethics can be considered a source of law due to its normative dimension, as well as a hermeneutic method. This essay also aims to show the role for bioethics to help interpret the law and solve hard cases within health law and the right to health. Lastly, it aims to justify the presence of bioethics as legal reasoning to be used by judges in the foundation of their verdicts in lawsuits involving the right to health.
El derecho a la salud está vinculado a la dignidad humana. Entre los instrumentos para hacerlo efectivo se ha destacado el fenómeno de la judicialización de la salud. En Brasil, los tribunales cada vez más deben decidir sobre asuntos relacionados con el derecho a la salud. Jueces deben tratar temas sobre políticas de salud, biotecnologías, medicamentos, autonomía humana, genética, entre otros. Las sentencias judiciales ahora deben resolver cuestiones éticas, legales y filosóficas. La bioética se presenta como un instrumento y un método para ayudar a resolver los casos legales del derecho a la salud. Este estudio pretende mostrar que la bioética puede ser aplicada en sentencias judiciales sobre casos de derecho a la salud en Brasil. Se destaca que la bioética puede ser considerada una fuente de derecho por su dimensión normativa, así como un método hermenéutico. Este ensayo también tiene como objetivo mostrar el papel de la bioética para ayudar a interpretar el derecho y resolver casos difíciles dentro del derecho a la salud. Por último, pretende justificar la presencia de la bioética como razonamiento jurídico a ser utilizado por los jueces en la fundamentación de sus veredictos en juicios que involucren el derecho a la salud.
O direito à saúde está vinculado à dignidade humana. Dentre os instrumentos para efetivá-la, o fenômeno da judicialização da saúde tem se destacado. No Brasil, os tribunais se deparam cada vez mais com a tarefa de julgar processos relacionadas ao direito à saúde. Atualmente, os juízes têm que lidar com questões sobre políticas de saúde, incorporação de tecnologias, fornecimento de medicamentos, autonomia, genética, biotecnologias, entre outros. As sentenças judiciais devem ser construídas com base também na resolução de questões éticas, legais e filosóficas. A bioética apresenta-se como instrumento e método para auxiliar na resolução de casos jurídicos envolvendo o direito à saúde. Este trabalho pretende mostrar que a bioética pode ser aplicada no julgamento de ações judiciais relativas ao direito à saúde no Brasil. Destaca que a bioética pode ser considerada fonte do direito por sua dimensão normativa, bem como método hermenêutico. Este ensaio também visa mostrar o papel da bioética para ajudar a interpretar a lei e resolver casos difíceis dentro do direito sanitário e do direito à saúde. Por fim, visa justificar a presença da bioética como fundamentação jurídica a ser utilizada pelos magistrados na fundamentação de suas sentenças em ações que envolvam o direito à saúde.
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This study presents the importance of the Research Ethics Committees (CEP) in the context of the Brazilian North Region, formed by the Amazon rainforest, which is occupied by traditional populations and those constituted by migratory currents. This study aims to analyze the bioethical implications arising from the activities of CEPs in the ethical evaluation of research projects and their essential role in protecting vulnerable populations. The authors seek to highlight the importance of ethics committees in the Amazon and their importance face the modern bioethical values that can contribute to the preservation of one of the most valuable and diverse environments on earth.
Este estudio presenta la importancia de los comités de ética en investigación (CEP) en el contexto de la Región Norte de Brasil, formada por la selva amazónica, ocupada por poblaciones tradicionales y constituida por corrientes migratorias. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las implicaciones bioéticas derivadas de las actividades de los CEP en la evaluación ética de los proyectos de investigación y su papel esencial en la protección de las poblaciones vulnerables. Los autores buscan destacar la importancia de los comités de ética en la Amazonia y su importancia frente a los valores bioéticos modernos que pueden contribuir a la preservación de uno de los ambientes más valiosos y diversos del planeta.
Esse estudo apresenta a importância dos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa (CEPs) no contexto da Região Norte Brasileira, formada pela floresta amazônica e ocupada por populações tradicionais e aquelas constituídas por correntes migratórias. Esse estudo objetiva analisar as implicações bioéticas que surgem das atividades dos CEPs na avaliação ética de projetos de pesquisa e seu papel fundamental em proteger populações vulneráveis. Os autores procuram enfatizar a importância dos comitês de ética na Amazônia e sua importância face a valores bioéticos modernos, que podem contribuir para a preservação de um dos mais valiosos e diversos ambientes na terra.
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Objectives: Describe the current legislation on electronic medical records (EMR) and telehealth in Latin American countries and analyze the treatment of confidentiality and professional secrecy. Methods: Between March and September 2022, a survey of the regulations in force in 21 Latin American countries was conducted at two levels: the existence of legislation on EMR and telehealth, and the treatment of confidentiality and professional secrecy in EMR and telehealth. A data extraction form was prepared for each country. Data were collected from official on-line sources. The information was analyzed qualitatively and synthesized in tables when possible. Results: The use of EMR is legally regulated in 16 countries. Nineteen countries have legislation on telehealth. All the countries analyzed safeguard confidentiality and professional secrecy through regulations. However, confidentiality and professional secrecy are mentioned in 11 countries in the context of telehealth, and in only nine countries in the context of EMR. Conclusions: Since the start of this century, Latin America has made progress in the legislation of digital tools for health care, such as EMR and telehealth. There is also interest in ethical issues related to the use of EMR and telehealth, particularly confidentiality and professional secrecy, aspects that should be strengthened in digital health.
Objetivo: Descrever a legislação vigente sobre prontuários eletrônicos e telessaúde nos países da América Latina e analisar o tratamento da confidencialidade e do sigilo profissional. Métodos: Entre março e setembro de 2022, realizou-se um levantamento sobre a regulamentação vigente nos 21 países latino-americanos incluídos no estudo, em dois níveis: i) existência de legislação sobre prontuários eletrônicos e telessaúde; e ii) tratamento da confidencialidade e do sigilo profissional em prontuários eletrônicos e telessaúde. Uma planilha para extração de dados foi elaborada para cada país. Os dados foram coletados de fontes oficiais disponíveis on-line. Foi realizada uma análise qualitativa das informações, que foram resumidas em tabelas, quando possível. Resultados: O uso dos prontuários eletrônicos é legalmente regulamentado em 16 países. Quanto à telessaúde, 19 países têm legislação sobre essa ferramenta. Todos os países analisados protegem a confidencialidade e o sigilo profissional por meio de regulamentação. No entanto, no contexto da telessaúde, eles são mencionados em 11 países; já no contexto dos prontuários eletrônicos, em apenas 9 países. Conclusões: Desde o início dos anos 2000, a América Latina vem avançando em relação à legislação sobre ferramentas digitais na atenção à saúde, como prontuários eletrônicos e telessaúde. Há também interesse nas questões éticas relacionadas ao uso de prontuários eletrônicos e telessaúde, especialmente em relação à confidencialidade e ao sigilo profissional, embora esses aspectos precisem ser reforçados na saúde digital.
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INTRODUCTION: Most neonatal deaths in industrialized countries follow a process of redirection of care. The objectives of this study were to describe how neonates die in a middle-income country, whether there was redirection of care, and the reason for this decision. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. Neonates who died in the delivery room or in the neonatal intensive care unit in 97 hospitals over a 6-month period were included. After each neonatal death, one investigator interviewed a member of the healthcare team who had been involved in the end-of-life care process. Perinatal data, conditions that led to death, whether there was redirection of care, and details of the end-of-life process were recorded. RESULTS: Data from 697 neonatal deaths were analyzed, which represent 80% of the total deaths occurring in Argentina in that period. The main causes of death were complications of prematurity (47%) and congenital anomalies (27%). Overall, 32% of neonates died after a process of redirection of care, and this was less frequent in the neonatal intensive care unit (28%) than in the delivery room (70%, p < 0.001). The reasons for withholding/withdrawing care were inevitable death (75%) and severe compromise of expected quality of life (25%). Redirection of care consisted in withholding therapies in 66% and withdrawal in 34%. A diagnosis of a major congenital anomaly increased the odds of redirection of care (OR 5.45; 95% CI: 3.59-8.27). CONCLUSION: Most neonates who die in Argentina do so while receiving full support. Redirection of care mainly follows a condition of inevitable death.
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Ethical considerations regarding our treatment of animals have gained strength, leading to legislation and a societal focus across various disciplines. This is a subject of study within curricula related to agri-food sciences. The aim was to determine the perceptions of agronomy university students concerning animal welfare in livestock production systems. A survey was conducted to encompass various aspects, from participants' sociodemographic attributes to their attitudes and behaviors regarding animal welfare and the consumption of animal products. Statistical analysis, performed using R software, delved into the associations between participants' characteristics and their perspectives on the ethical, bioethical, and legal dimensions of animal welfare. Associations between demographic factors and ethical viewpoints among students were identified. Gender differences emerged in animal treatment perceptions, while rural and urban environments impacted perspectives on various animals. Bioethical considerations revealed distinctive disparities based on gender and education in concerns regarding animal welfare, value perceptions, evaluations of animal behaviors, and opinions on animal research. It is crucial to distinguish between animal welfare and the ethical considerations arising from coexisting with sentient beings capable of experiencing suffering. Ethical theories provide a lens through which we perceive our obligations toward animals. The responsibility to ensure animal welfare is firmly rooted in recognizing that animals, like humans, experience pain and physical suffering. Consequently, actions causing unjustified suffering or mistreatment, particularly for entertainment purposes, are considered morally unacceptable.
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Background: Non-therapeutic hysterectomy in girls and adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) is an acceptable practice, even when there is a lack of prescriptive ethical reason. Objectives: To determine the magnitude of the practice of hysterectomy in girls and adolescents with ID, and explore the emic factors associated with this procedure. Material and methods: Multicenter, intersectoral study with a mixed methods design. Results: The quantitative results showed that 50 of 234 reported hysterectomies corresponded to females with ID. Average age at the time of surgery was 15 ± 2.9 years. Prophylactic abdominal hysterectomy was the most common procedure, and the justifications for it were "fertility control", "menstrual hygiene management", and "risk of sexual abuse". A qualitative analysis of 15 focus groups revealed that parents' main concern was how to manage their daughters' index disease and reproductive health; they perceived menstruation positively; they expressed their fear of dying and leaving them without support, and emphasized fertility control; none of them approved hysterectomy. Conclusions: The bodies that define health policies need to create a new philosophy that avoids the reductionist approach of current biomedical model, which separates (in the health-disease process) our interdependence with other humans.
Antecedentes: La histerectomía no terapéutica en niñas y adolescentes con discapacidad intelectual (DI) es una práctica aceptable, aun cuando se carece de razón ética prescriptiva. Objetivos: Determinar la magnitud de la práctica de la histerectomía en niñas y adolescentes con DI, y explorar los factores emic asociados a esta práctica. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico e intersectorial con método mixto. Resultados: Los resultados cuantitativos mostraron que 50 de 234 histerectomías reportadas correspondieron a mujeres con DI. El promedio de edad a la cirugía fue de 15 ± 2.9 años. La histerectomía abdominal profiláctica fue el procedimiento predominante y las justificaciones fueron control de fertilidad, manejo de la higiene menstrual y riesgo de abuso sexual. El análisis cualitativo de 15 grupos focales reveló que la principal preocupación de los padres fue cómo manejar la enfermedad índice y la salud reproductiva de sus hijas; percibieron positivamente la menstruación, expresaron su miedo a morir y dejarlas sin ayuda, resaltaron el control de la fertilidad y ninguno aprobó la histerectomía. Conclusiones: Los organismos que definen políticas de salud necesitan crear una nueva filosofía que evite el enfoque reduccionista del actual modelo biomédico, el cual separa (en el proceso salud-enfermedad) la interdependencia entre los seres humanos.
Subject(s)
Hysterectomy , Intellectual Disability , Humans , Female , Mexico , Hysterectomy/methods , Adolescent , Focus Groups , Young AdultABSTRACT
The importance of informed consent and the value of shared decision-making in hand surgery are well-established and particularly critical in the setting of digit amputation when considering replantation. Informed consent requires an understanding of not only the immediate and long-term risks and benefits of surgery, as well as the risks and alternatives involved, but also the capacity of the patient to make a medical decision. However, patients who have acutely sustained a disfiguring trauma are often in distress and may not fully process the consent discussion. Digit replantation is an "elective emergency"-the decision must be made immediately but is not lifesaving-which poses a difficult dilemma: are surgeons acting in patients' best interests by pursuing replantation if we engage those patients in informed consent discussions when they may not have capacity? This article explores the relevant bioethical principles associated with digit replantation, summarizes updated literature regarding informed consent and shared decision-making, and provides recommendations for patient education materials to standardize informed consent discussions for surgeons approaching patients at this unique intersection of considering revision amputation versus replantation.
Subject(s)
Amputation, Traumatic , Decision Making, Shared , Finger Injuries , Informed Consent , Replantation , Humans , Replantation/ethics , Informed Consent/ethics , Finger Injuries/surgery , Amputation, Traumatic/surgeryABSTRACT
La complejidad ética en la práctica deportiva tiene diversas perspectivas que generan dilemas al aplicar principios universales, en un entorno competitivo en constante evolución y con avances tecnológicos, sociales y culturales necesarios, para establecer un marco ético coherente y aplicable en el ámbito del deporte. El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en analizar las perspectivas y enfoques éticos-deportivos presentes en la bioética aplicada a la práctica deportiva, con el fin de comprender los dilemas éticos emergentes y las tendencias actuales en este campo. La investigación fue de tipo teórica, a través de una revisión documental, en la que se siguieron los pasos de búsqueda y selección de artículos científicos; se extrajo información validada de bases de datos académicos, se organizaron sistemáticamente los hallazgos y finalmente se realizó una síntesis narrativa. La diversidad de enfoques ético-deportivos subraya la necesidad constante de equilibrar la competitividad con los valores fundamentales, de cómo el deporte enfrenta dilemas que requieren un equilibrio entre la búsqueda de la excelencia deportiva y el respeto por la integridad, equidad y diversidad; lo que desafía, a todos los actores, a promover un entorno deportivo más inclusivo. Se concluyó que el deporte evalúa múltiples dimensiones, incluidos la ética deontológica, la equidad para atletas y la virtud; se destacó la importancia de normativas para proteger la integridad, promover un ambiente ético y abordar los desafíos, en la competencia y tecnología deportivas emergentes.
A complexidade ética na prática do esporte tem diversas perspectivas que geram dilemas ao aplicar princípios universais, em um ambiente competitivo em constante evolução e com os avanços tecnológicos, sociais e culturais necessários para estabelecer uma estrutura ética coerente e aplicável no campo do esporte. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar as perspectivas e abordagens ético-esportivas presentes na bioética aplicada ao esporte, a fim de compreender os dilemas éticos emergentes e as tendências atuais nesse campo. A pesquisa foi de natureza teórica, por meio de uma revisão documental, na qual foram seguidas as etapas de busca e seleção de artigos científicos; informações validadas foram extraídas de bancos de dados acadêmicos, as descobertas foram sistematicamente organizadas e, por fim, foi realizada uma síntese narrativa. A diversidade de abordagens éticas no esporte destaca a necessidade constante de equilibrar a competitividade com os valores fundamentais, como o esporte enfrenta dilemas que exigem um equilíbrio entre a busca da excelência esportiva e o respeito à integridade, equidade e diversidade, e desafia todos os atores a promover um ambiente esportivo mais inclusivo. Concluiu-se que o esporte avalia várias dimensões, inclusive a ética deontológica, a equidade para os atletas e a virtude; destacou-se a importância das regulamentações para proteger a integridade, promover um ambiente ético e enfrentar os desafios das competições e tecnologias esportivas emergentes.
The ethical complexity in sports practice has diverse perspectives that generate dilemmas when applying universal principles, in a competitive environment in constant evolution and with technological, social and cultural advances necessary, to establish a coherent and applicable ethical framework in the field of sports. The objective of this research was to analyze the ethical-sports perspectives and approaches present in bioethics applied to sports practice, in order to understand the emerging ethical dilemmas and current trends in this field. The research was theoretical, through a documentary review, in which the steps of searching and selecting scientific articles were followed; validated information was extracted from academic databases, the findings were systematically organized and finally a narrative synthesis was carried out. The diversity of ethical-sports approaches highlights the constant need to balance competitiveness with fundamental values, of how sport faces dilemmas that require a balance between the pursuit of sporting excellence and respect for integrity, equity and diversity; which challenges all actors to promote a more inclusive sports environment. It was concluded that sport evaluates multiple dimensions, including deontological ethics, equity for athletes and virtue; the importance of regulations to protect integrity, promote an ethical environment and address challenges in emerging sports competition and technology was highlighted.
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Introducción: Durante el acto de la prescripción se deben relacionar los conocimientos de la terapéutica con los principios de la bioética para contribuir al uso racional de medicamentos. En el artículo se analiza el cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos relacionados con las prescripciones de medicamentos por los médicos generales integrales del municipio Santiago de Cuba. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con una muestra de médicos generales integrales en el que se emplearon métodos teóricos, empíricos y matemáticos estadísticos, así como la triangulación metodológica. Se consideró como variable el cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos relacionados con las prescripciones de medicamentos y cinco indicadores que fueron valorados mediante encuesta, entrevista y observación del desempeño. Resultados: Se encontró que los médicos generales integrales alcanzaron un nivel alto de cumplimiento de los principios bioéticos relacionados con las prescripciones de medicamentos con un valor de media ponderada de 2,94. La valoración de la frecuencia de realización de los indicadores evidenció que tres de ellos fueron considerados del nivel alto, dos de nivel medio y ninguno de nivel bajo. Discusión: los resultados fueron confrontados con otros estudios y se confirma que los médicos generales integrales en Cuba por su formación humanista cumplen con la mayoría de los principios bioéticos en su desempeño profesional.
Introduction: During the act of prescription, therapeutic knowledge must be related to the principles of bioethics to contribute to the rational use of medications. The article analyzes compliance with bioethical principles related to medication prescriptions by comprehensive general practitioners of the Santiago de Cuba municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with a sample of comprehensive general practitioners in which theoretical, empirical and mathematical statistical methods were used, as well as methodological triangulation. Compliance with bioethical principles related to medication prescriptions and five indicators that were assessed through a survey, interview and performance observation were considered as variables. Results: It was found that comprehensive general practitioners reached a high level of compliance with bioethical principles related to medication prescriptions with a weighted mean value of 2.94. The assessment of the frequency of carrying out the indicators showed that three of them were considered high level, two medium level and none low level. Discussion: the results were compared with con studies and it is confirmed that comprehensive general practitioners in Cuba, due to their humanistic training, comply with most of the bioethical principles in their professional performance.
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BACKGROUND: Respect is essential to providing high quality healthcare, particularly for groups that are historically marginalized and stigmatized. While ethical principles taught to health professionals focus on patient autonomy as the object of respect for persons, limited studies explore patients' views of respect. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of a multiculturally diverse group of low-income women living with HIV (WLH) regarding their experience of respect from their medical physicians. METHODS: We analyzed 57 semi-structured interviews conducted at HIV case management sites in South Florida as part of a larger qualitative study that explored practices facilitating retention and adherence in care. Women were eligible to participate if they identified as African American (n = 28), Hispanic/Latina (n = 22), or Haitian (n = 7). They were asked to describe instances when they were treated with respect by their medical physicians. Interviews were conducted by a fluent research interviewer in either English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole, depending on participant's language preference. Transcripts were translated, back-translated and reviewed in entirety for any statements or comments about "respect." After independent coding by 3 investigators, we used a consensual thematic analysis approach to determine themes. RESULTS: Results from this study grouped into two overarching classifications: respect manifested in physicians' orientation towards the patient (i.e., interpersonal behaviors in interactions) and respect in medical professionalism (i.e., clinic procedures and practices). Four main themes emerged regarding respect in provider's orientation towards the patient: being treated as a person, treated as an equal, treated without blame or prejudice, and treated with concern/emotional support. Two main themes emerged regarding respect as evidenced in medical professionalism: physician availability and considerations of privacy. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a more robust conception of what 'respect for persons' entails in medical ethics for a diverse group of low-income women living with HIV. Findings have implications for broadening areas of focus of future bioethics education, training, and research to include components of interpersonal relationship development, communication, and clinic procedures. We suggest these areas of training may increase respectful medical care experiences and potentially serve to influence persistent and known social and structural determinants of health through provider interactions and health care delivery.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections , Physicians , Humans , Female , Haiti , Delivery of Health Care , Qualitative Research , Physicians/psychology , HIV Infections/therapyABSTRACT
This study's objective was to understand Colombian adolescents' experiences and preferences regarding access to sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS), either alone or accompanied. A mixed-method approach was used, involving a survey of 812 participants aged eleven to twenty-four years old and forty-five semi-structured interviews with participants aged fourteen to twenty-three. Previous research shows that adolescents prefer privacy when accessing SRHS and often do not want their parents involved. Such findings align with the longstanding tendency to frame the ethical principle of autonomy as based on independence in decision-making. However, the present study shows that such a conceptualization and application of autonomy does not adequately explain Colombian adolescent participants' preferences regarding access to SRHS. Participants shared a variety of preferences to access SRHS, with the majority of participants attaching great importance to having their parents involved, to varying degrees. What emerges is a more complex and non-homogenous conceptualization of autonomy that is not inherently grounded in independence from parental involvement in access to care. We thus argue that when developing policies involving adolescents, policymakers and health professionals should adopt a nuanced "relational autonomy" approach to better respect the myriad of preferences that Colombian (and other) adolescents may have regarding their access to SRHS.
Subject(s)
Health Services Accessibility , Personal Autonomy , Reproductive Health Services , Humans , Adolescent , Colombia , Reproductive Health Services/ethics , Health Services Accessibility/ethics , Female , Male , Young Adult , Child , Decision Making , Parents/psychology , Sexual Health , Sexual Behavior , PrivacyABSTRACT
This article aims at raising awareness about the intersection of populism and bioethics. It argues that illiberal forms of populism may have negative consequences on the evolution of bioethics as a discipline and on its practical objectives. It identifies at least seven potential negative effects: (1) The rise of populist leaders fosters "epistemological populism," devaluing the expert and scientific perspectives on which bioethics is usually based, potentially steering policies away from evidence-based foundations. (2) The impact of "moral populism" is evident in legislative prioritization of the "morality of common people," often solicited through popular consultations on issues like abortion, drug legalization, or LGBT issues. (3) Populist distrust in autonomous governmental agencies and advisory bodies, including national bioethics commissions, can compromise expert advice, challenging both their authority and decisions. (4) Populists may erode transparency by undermining institutions responsible for it, hindering access to vital information for bioethical research. (5) "Medical populism" creates adversarial dynamics, prompting politicians to make simplistic healthcare policy decisions based on political rather than informed criteria, adversely affecting vulnerable populations. (6) Radical-right populist parties' "welfare chauvinism" may shape healthcare policies, impacting service access and resource allocation, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as migrants, but indirectly affecting the rest of the population. (7) Nationalist sentiments associated with populism may obstruct international collaborations, posing challenges for global bioethics that seeks to address ethical concerns beyond national borders. In summary, these dynamics raise significant bioethical concerns encompassing evidence-based decision-making, transparency, healthcare equity, and global collaboration. How bioethicists may respond to these challenges is discussed.
ABSTRACT
This essay, situated in the field of bioethics, examines the prohibition of psychedelic use, exploring arguments surrounding the growing evidence of their therapeutic potential and their millennia-long history of cultural and spiritual uses. It initially discusses the historical context of psychedelics and the various terms used to describe them. The essay problematizes the definition of "drugs," highlighting the lack of objective criteria for distinguishing between legal and illicit substances. Drawing on concepts and theoretical frameworks of critical bioethics, it analyzes how the prohibitionist moral discourse is sustained more by political and economic interests than by scientific justifications, leading to stigmatization and vulnerability. The essay advocates for the end of the prohibition of psychedelics based on ethical arguments, emphasizing their importance in reducing individual and collective suffering. The work contributes to a deeper reflection on this socially controversial topic, integrating interdisciplinary knowledge.
Este ensayo, ubicado en el campo de la bioética, analiza la prohibición del uso de psicodélicos, explorando argumentos sobre las crecientes evidencias de potenciales terapéuticos y su historia milenaria de usos culturales y espirituales. Discute inicialmente el contexto histórico de los psicodélicos y diferentes términos utilizados para nombrarlos. Problematiza la definición de "drogas", indicando falta de criterios objetivos para distinción entre lícitas e ilícitas. Bajo conceptos y referenciales teóricos de la bioética crítica, se analiza cómo el discurso moral prohibicionista se sostiene más por intereses políticos y económicos que por justificativas científicas, generando estigmatización y vulnerabilidad. Defiende el fin de la prohibición de los psicodélicos con base en argumentos éticos, resaltando su importancia para la reducción de sufrimientos individuales y colectivos. El trabajo contribuye a una reflexión profundizada sobre este tema socialmente controversial, articulando conocimientos interdisciplinarios.