What Ethics Support for Resolving Ethical Conflicts Do Internists Use in Spanish Hospitals?

Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 101250741 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1872-4353 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 11767529 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Bioeth Inq Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Dordrecht : Springer
Original Publication: Dunedin, N.Z. : Bioethics Centre, University of Otago

Internal Medicine*/ethics ; Ethics Consultation* ; Ethics Committees, Clinical*; Humans ; Spain ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Male ; Female ; Negotiating ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adult ; Physicians/ethics ; Middle Aged ; Ethics, Medical ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Hospitals/ethics

Background Ethical conflicts generate difficulties in daily clinical activity. Which methods of ethical advice are most frequently used to resolve them among Spanish doctors has not been studied. The objective of this study is to describe what methods hospital internal medicine physicians in Spain use to resolve their ethical doubts and which they consider most useful. Design A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through a voluntary and anonymous survey and distributed through an ad hoc platform of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. Measures We measured methods by which to resolve doubts, types of tools sought, frequency of consulting the Clinical Ethics Committees, and satisfaction with resolution of ethical issues. Results Of 261 internists surveyed, 86 per cent resolve their ethical doubts with assistance, the most frequently used method being consultation with colleagues (58.6 per cent), followed by using specific protocols or guides (11.8 per cent) and consultation with experts in bioethics (9.6 per cent). The most preferred tools are the creation of protocols (30.3 per cent) and the establishment of a consultant/expert in bioethics (27.8 per cent). Conclusions Internists in Spain usually seek assistance to resolve their ethical doubts. Consulting colleagues is the most frequently adopted method. The majority regard tools to resolve ethical conflicts as necessary, seeking above all protocols and consultants/experts in bioethics.
(© 2023. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry Pty Ltd.)

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Keywords: Clinical ethics; Ethics committees; Ethics consultant; Internal medicine

Date Created: 20231026 Date Completed: 20240730 Latest Revision: 20240730

20240730

10.1007/s11673-023-10276-1

37882950