Ethical Aspects Considered in Doctor-Patient Relations: Experiences of Anesthesiologists

• Main Authors: Maria de Fátima Oliveira dos Santos, Maria das Graças Melo Fernandes, Eduardo Sérgio Soares Sousa, Harison José de Oliveira, Gualter Lisboa Ramalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2013-09-01
• Series: Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0104001413001656

Background and objective: : Ethical principles guide professional conduct, particularly in establishing the doctor-patient relationship and, therefore, require constant reflection. The purpose of this study is to analyze ethical experiences of anesthesiologists in their interaction with the patient under their care. Method: This was an exploratory study involving 16 active anesthesiologists at a university hospital in João Pessoa, Paraíba. We collected data through semi-structured interviews and analyzed qualitatively using the content analysis technique. Results: The study findings show that the classification of ethical experiences of the study participants regarding the doctor-patient relationship were classified into five categories: respect for the patient, humane treatment, equal treatment, professional secrecy, and respect for patient autonomy. Conclusion: We conclude that respondents recognize the ethical and humanistic values that should guide the relationship with their patients. Keywords: Ethics, Professional, Anesthesiology, Bioethics, Physician-Patient Relations