Bioethics and therapeutic integrity in medical emergencies

Abstract

Introduction. The specificity of emergency medicine requires rapid actions, with decision-making in exceptional situations. In such circumstances it is necessary to ensure a beneficial medical approach to the whole body and emphasize the importance of observance of the principle of therapeutic integrity. Aim of study. Highlighting the bioethical components to consolidate the value of bioethical principle - therapeutic integrity - that is essential in emergency medicine. Methods and materials. There were used clinical protocols, guidelines, regulations, scientific publications, national and international bioethics publications. The methods applied: sociological, structuralist, analytical-descriptive and bioethical methods. Results. A satisfactory state of body and psycho-somatic balance can be achieved based on the following ways: appropriate curative tactic, correlation of curative actions by working with the multidisciplinary team, and a good doctor-patient relationship. At the same time, it is necessary to respect the principle of therapeutic integrity. But in emergency medicine there is a tendency to focus only on the underlying condition, minimizing or even neglecting the therapy of other comorbidities. Urgent medical actions are becoming more and more "mechanized", the individual, "soulful" contact with the patient is diminished, and the doctors in the emergency departments rarely consult each other regarding the patients' condition and don't pay required attention to what can be expected in parallel with the underlying condition. In such situations, therapeutic integrity must be monitored by the application of fundamental bioethical principles. Conclusion. 1. The urgent medical care may affect the integrity of the body due to trends in medicine, including focusing only on the underlying condition. 2. Compliance to the principle of therapeutic integrity is of utter importance in this context. 3. The identification and application of bioethical standards related to therapeutic integrity in the practice of emergency medicine ensures the efficiency of the medical act.