Status of Ethic s in Dialysis: The Challenge of Patient s and Physicians

Abstract

According to the “Hume law”, no drop of ethics can derive from a scientific rule. This law can be also applied as a guide for healthcare policy, given the limitations of secular moral reasoning. Such an approach is offered to provide the strongest case for the robust web of moral obligations in the dialysis area. It is important to inquire dialysis patients on how they wish to be treated when competent, who should make judgments on their behalf, and the circumstances under which treatment should be withdrawn. Against a plurality of visions of justice, fairness, and rights in healthcare and, in particular, in the approach to dialysis, basic moral rules of thumb can still be articulated to guide physicians, other healthcare professionals, and care-policy makers. These rules of thumb can be stated in the following issues: (i) principle of truth; (ii) principle of value and dignity of man; (iii) principle of freedom; (iv) informed consent; (v) principle of justice; (vi) bioethical models. (Bioethics)