[Bioethics: issues regarding the anesthesiologist].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medical evolution requires from health professionals the exercise of ethical reflections faced to daily situations, to avoid transgressing moral, ethical and legal rules. This article aimed at addressing bioethics principles to be observed during the Anesthesiology practice. CONTENTS: After bioethics historical introduction and definition as a philosophic science, its interface with Law is demonstrated. Beneficence, non-malfeasance, respect to autonomy and justice principles are presented as critical points for the anesthetic practice, the primary objective of which is to preserve human dignity. The adherence to these principles protects patients against unexpected and undesirable results, in addition to protecting the anesthesiologist against ethical or legal implications after fortuitous complications.
CONCLUSIONS: Bioethics is integral part of health discussions; the progress of Anesthesiology and research requires the understanding of this subject to adequately practice the specialty. Although being philosophical, and to a certain extent apart from a specialty focused on acute attention to patients, anesthesiologists are willing to understand this new science, which will increasingly influence the practice of the specialty, in order to protect patients and avoid further inconveniences in the rather difficult practice of this specialty in our country.