Ética y lazo social

Abstract

Within the health team's daily task, appears the question not only of whether they do things correctly, but also the ethical interrogation regarding what is "to do what is good" for the patient. "Good" is not an absolute value, but rather it appears as a question in those cases where the cure is uncertain and the procedures are risky or painful. The cost may be high, not only in economical terms, but also for the patient and his (ha) family's daily process. To "do" or not to "do" in these cases generates this setting for the ethical question for which there are no certainties nor unique responses. The opening for the word/opinion of the different persons involved in the decision who can evaluate the individual aspect of each situation. We take "curing" and "caring for" as two important values to be taken into account. In a society where putting off death is given preference above any other value, "caring for" is at time excluded in a futile attempt to prolong life even though it may only signify the prolongation of suffering. When it is not possible to cure, there are many ways of caring for, such as providing comfort, mitigating the pain, being there for and listening to the patient and the family. Communication of the risks of treatments, informing of the incurability of an illness, indicating in regard to an amputation, proposing a transplant, requesting organ donations or an autopsy to clarify a diagnosis and providing company to the trained and that works as such. The prevention of mental health problems for the members of the health professions requires intervention in the design of working conditions that are focused on this care. The appearance at different to institution of Ethics Committes, which can favor an atmosphere of discussion and also have the risk of delegating the problems that concern the whole of society upon a group specialists who are isolated from daily procedures, thus taking away the responsibility from the actors directly involved in the decision.