OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze, in the light of ethical considerations, the choices and justifications of public health professionals in hypothetical situations of patient prioritization in circumstances of limited resources during emergency medical care. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative study, carried out through interviews with 80 public health professionals, graduate students (MSc and PhD students) in public health who were faced with hypothetical situations involving the criteria of gender, age, and responsibility, asked to choose between alternatives that referred to the existence of people, equally submitted to life-threatening situations, who needed care in an emergency department. RESULTS: The choices prioritized children, young individuals, women, and married women, with decision-making invoking the ethical principles of vulnerability, social utility, and equity. CONCLUSION: The study shows a clear tendency to justify the choices that were made, guided by utilitarian ethics.
OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyze, in the light of ethical considerations, the choices and justifications of public health professionals in hypothetical situations of patient prioritization in circumstances of limited resources during emergency medical care. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative study, carried out through interviews with 80 public health professionals, graduate students (MSc and PhD students) in public health who were faced with hypothetical situations involving the criteria of gender, age, and responsibility, asked to choose between alternatives that referred to the existence of people, equally submitted to life-threatening situations, who needed care in an emergency department. RESULTS: The choices prioritized children, young individuals, women, and married women, with decision-making invoking the ethical principles of vulnerability, social utility, and equity. CONCLUSION: The study shows a clear tendency to justify the choices that were made, guided by utilitarian ethics.
Authors: Edvaldo Leal de Moraes; Marcelo José dos Santos; Miriam Aparecida Barbosa Merighi; Maria Cristina Komatsu Braga Massarollo Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2014 Mar-Apr
Authors: João Gabriel Rosa Ramos; Rogerio da Hora Passos; Paulo Benigno Pena Baptista; Daniel Neves Forte Journal: Rev Bras Ter Intensiva Date: 2017 Apr-Jun