Pediatric bioethics in Georgia: a proposed ethical framework.

The aim of the article is to propose an ethical framework for the medical care of children in Georgia. We review Georgian ethical standards relating to pediatric medicine, in relation to the standards that are widely recognized in Western Europe and North America. This review highlights areas in which Georgian standards are already in line with Western standards as well as areas where there may be gaps or discrepancies. We highlight a number of important Georgian innovations, recognizing that Georgia has been a sovereign state for only a little more than twenty years and so has had little time to develop a fully comprehensive system of medical ethical standards. This analysis provides a foundation for identifying priorities for the development of ethical standards in Georgian pediatric medicine, according to Georgian beliefs and values relating to the medical care of children.

Research involving children--international regulations and Georgian legislations.

It is evidence based that research involving children is really very important, and organizations involved in child health support this view. This importance is reflected both in political policy and international regulations. However risk in children's research is a difficult area; so potential benefits and harm to children at all stages of any research must be ensured. The expected risks should be kept as low as possible. Moreover issues such as rights to information inform consent and confidentiality of children must be protected and regulated by the law. The authors present overview of international regulations of children involving research, comparing analysis of Convention of Child Rights and Georgian legislation of minor patient's rights. Emphasis issues of rights to information, inform consent and confidentiality of children and adolescence in research according to international and Georgian regulations.

Assessment of physicians awareness of patient's rights in Georgia.

Georgian Parliament adopted the law on Patients' Rights in 2000. The Georgian legislation on Patients' rights covers most of the universal European principles of patients' rights. The overall purpose was to determine the level of physicians' knowledge and understanding of patient's rights from the point of physicians' view. 200 physicians from 12 medical institutions were surveyed by method of interview. During the process of surveying the respondents mostly indicate to necessity of expanded information of patients in terms of payment for medical services, information dealing with test results, diagnosis and treatment, prognosis of disease. According to physician's view, the patients are less informed that reflects in delayed visit to physician. Data from the surveyed physicians shows that one of the most significant problems is related to informed consent on medical manipulations. As it was revealed most of them did not require informed consent during their practice. The authors of study come to a decision, that the need to adopt new instruments for protection of patients' rights during and after medical care and elimination of any violence of rights is of the highest importance and one of the main priorities for national health care.