The seminars of the Chair of professionalism and ethics clinic (PEC) addresses the ethical issues at the end of life at the College of physicians in Zaragoza.

-experts in ethics and deontology in palliative care, Jacinto Bátiz and Marcos Gómez Sancho were guest speakers

-the President of the medical school of ZaragozaEnrique de la Figuera, presented the session together with the Director of academic projects of the PEC, Rogelio Altisent Chair

Zaragoza, March of 2013– the medical school of Zaragoza returned to be the meeting point for the celebration at the second seminar of the professionalism and clinical ethics (PEC) on Thursday, February 28. Enrique de la Figuera, President of the Medical College Zaragoza, driving of the creation of this chair next to the WTO, was commissioned to present the session. In his words of welcome, and before a massive public assistance, la FIGUERA welcomed that the project of the Chair for professionalism and ethics clinic, one of the most fondly has worked in recent years since the College, it has gained so much acceptance ”.

For his part, the Director of academic projects of the PEC Chair, Rogelio Altisent explained that seminars are selected from criteria of professional impact, social impact and relevance in the field of academic ethics. And from these three criteria, it is evident that today’s theme is one of the most important issues that we have in our hands ”.

Care for the end of life from the ethics and ethics

The head of the Department of care Hospice of the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Santurce (Vizcaya) and former Secretary of the Commission Central of deontology of the WTO, Jacinto Bátiz, was commissioned to provide an answer to the question of how they have to take care of doctors at the end of life from the ethics and the deontology. Bátiz said that at the end of life medical care should avoid unnecessary extension and must prevent their deliberate shortening ”. From a point of view quite concerned by the question, indicated that if they ask me how I would like it to me to attend from the ethical point of view, when I find in the trance of the end of life, would respond in the following manner: that deliberately not rush my death, but not unnecessarily prolong my agony, but which will help me to not suffer while come my death ”.

Batiz insisted that at the end of life medical care is a right of the patient and an ethical obligation of the doctor ”. Also stressed that physicians have the code of medical ethics, with its chapter VII on the end of life medical care. If we know it and applied it will be caring for at the end of life from ethics and ethics ” said.

During his speech, Jacinto Bátiz referred to how can doctors do well, fulfilling the right of the sick. Thus, said have rid him of the pain with the intensity you need their relief, because the treatment of pain is not an optional matter but an ethical imperative. We have to avoid those diagnostic tests and therapeutic strategies that are no longer useful in these circumstances of orientation so we will have to adapt both the diagnostic effort as therapeutic ”. Also referred to respect for the values of the patient and their directives, as well as the denial of those treatments that the patient considers useless.

Have to sedate when we tried all therapeutic strategies to relieve their suffering ” said. In this regard, Jacinto Bátiz, said that when the doctor silk to the patient who is suffering in terminal phase and does so with clinical and ethical criteria it is not causing his death; It is preventing it to suffer while it dies; He is doing a good medical practice. Order is being sought with the sedation is the measure for pricing act as ethical ” said, for a question to the audience: would the doctor may be the carer of the health of the people and be able to power producing, at the same time, their intentional death?.

Meanwhile, Marcos Gómez Sancho, head of the service of palliative care at the University Hospital of Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín of Las Palmas, delivered the lecture the end of life: dying in peace ”. The President of the Central Committee of deontology of the WTO showed during his presentation that attention to people, to the sick at the end of his life requires an optimal technical training, but is a matter that doctor transcends appearance strictly. It’s a human, spiritual, religious, phenomenon that has been translated in numerous artistic manifestations such as poems and songs. Through them many times we know better the mystery of death, and we can approach this moment in which we changed to another level of existence, whatever that is that each wants to give ”.

The next seminar of the Chair for professionalism and ethics clinic (PEC) of the College of physicians of Zaragoza has been scheduled for Thursday, March 21, and the issue to be addressed will be the ethical issues in nutrition and feeding of patients.