Ethical issues in elderly patient-physician relationship

Abstract

Introduction: Old age is a very difficult age in which people who once were full of life, get to a moment when they can no longer take care of themselves, and their diseases take power over them. Overpowered by pain and scared of death, which seems to be even nearer, the elderly address more and more often to doctors, hoping to find the right solution for the problems that overwhelm them. Purpose and objectives: The purpose of this project is to disclose the ethical aspects of medical work in dealing with the contingent of elderly patients, to find and motivate the necessity of nursing in their treatment and the effect of communication between the doctor and the elderly patient. Materials ad methods:The survey is based on scientific publications, testimonies of 20 elderly persons who are registered at the Social Welfare Chisinau and some clinical cases provided by practicing physicians. Results: UN sources indicate that today the number of people aged over 60 years in the world has reached 500 million. In 2025 the number of elderly population will reach over one billion, which is about 15 % of the world population. There is also the term "aging of the elderly”, which can be explained by increased share of the population aged over 75. Since this demographic problem is growing, physicians are forced to face a greater number of elderly patients with different problems. The aging involves physiological changes of the human body with function decreases. This is why the doctor’s main task is to distinguish normal age changes in patient’s complaints from symptoms of a disease. And it can only be achieved during a close conversation with the patient, from which the doctor has to extract the maximum possible information in order to provide an efficient treatment. Because of the same age changes of the patients, like attention weakening and diminishing coherence, the medical act becomes quite difficult. Unfortunately, we live in a busy world and our time is limited, and many old people complain that doctors do not listen, they only give them some vitamins without performing a complete medical examinationor, even worse, they send them home unsatisfied. Such an attitude not only damages the doctor’s status in the patients' eyes, but also offends the latter, making them feel unimportant and pointing their loneliness. Thus, because of the lack of time, the doctor let the pathology manifest itself, which is contrary to the essential mission of the doctor to save the life of others. Also, the long queues at the doctor’s door lead to deprivation of the necessary curative act for the patient. It is therefore essential to organize a network of training specialists in medical ethics. However, besides treating, the role of medicine also consists in easing and improving the lives of the sick, not only with drugs but also by moral leverage. Conclusion: Activation of geriatrics at its maximum potential will be possible only when the gaps and the ethical problems which both patients and doctors meet in their way, wall be removed and solved. This, however, will be possible only when doctors will have ethical knowledge and will apply it in dealing with their patients.