Ethical Issues Related to Intensive Care
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Ethical Issues Related to Intensive Care

Thorac Res Pract 2002;3(3):307-316
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Abstract

Abstract

Within the last 50 years, technological advances and pharmacological discoveries have been dramatic and now offer the ability to provide a level of medical care, previously thought to be impossible. Unfortunately, ethical decision-making as to when and how these advances should be used has not been discussed very well. Since there is an urgent need for national ethical guidelines especially in developing countries where financial problems affect health care policy, ethical issues related to intensive care are discussed in this paper.

Keywords: intensive care, ethics, autonomy, life support, medical sources