Bioethical perspectives on decision-making in times of pandemic

Abstract

This article aims to identify the contribution of bioethics to resolve decision-making conflicts in healthcare in times of pandemic. The research was based on the authors’ personal reflections in a dialogue with the literature and different bioethical perspectives. Historical accounts show that when a society is experiencing an epidemic it starts to function in a mode of social exceptionality, reinforcing the need for a more appropriate form of reasoning before the ethical conflicts that may arise from this situation. Some approaches to bioethics – principlism, personalism, utilitarianism and social bioethics – are briefly examined in order to obtain the elements for guiding the decisionmaking process. Finally, we suggest some parameters for health professionals, recognizing the value of all human lives, to save as many lives as possible.