Profile of clinical bioethics consultancies involving families which hindered the resolution of problems

Abstract

This study evaluated 116 records of clinical bioethics consultation in which the patients’ family made difficult the resolution of the problem or ethical conflict. The following aspects were evaluated: Applicants, Medical Specialties, Electronic Health Records, Patients and Family Relationships. Physicians requested 71% of the Bioethics consultation. The Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry Services demanded the majority number of consultations (56%). The patients who had their consultations registered in electronic medical records were 79%. As for response, 71% of consultations were seen on the same day or the day after requested. The percentages of male and female patients were, respectively, 48% and 52% with a mean age of 28 years, 54% of the patients were from Porto Alegre. The naturally imposed family relationships (71%) were the more prevalent.  It is very import that other studies be performed in order to generate adequate comprehension about ethical problems and their possible solutions.