Medical Ethics Information Needed
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Dear Sir/Madam
I am doing a research in the ethical aspects of health care de-
livery system in Ethiopia. But I failed to find reference papers
done qualitatively in the area in Africa.
If anybody knows how to get this information, please send me
your advice.
Best Regards,
Firew Mekonnen Wubie (MD)
P.O.Box 415
Gondar, Ethiopia
Tel: +251-8-115-452/116-221
Fax: +251-8-111-479/116-221
mailto:firewm2002@yahoo.com
Medical Ethics Information Needed (2)
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Hi Firew,
See the Human rights related papers in www.humaninfo.org/aviva
They may help.
Cordially,
Claudio Schuftan
mailto:claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn
Medical Ethics Information Needed (3)
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Not to take away from the seriousness of HIV, but it is time to
let go of the fear!
How we view disease, along with the constant bombardment of fear
associated with HIV is cause for alarm. We must educate our-
selves, those in the medical profession and our future doctors
to address a broader understanding and treatment of disease. The
fear and terror associated with HIV and the fact that the medi-
cal profession continues to contribute to fear is the first
thing we need to overcome! Studies with healthy animals show
that when subjected to constant fear and stress they surrender
the will to live. Countless deaths of individuals infected with
HIV can be attributed to fear. Telling people they are going to
progress to disease and die, just because they have been in-
fected with HIV is not true! Yet, these are the messages con-
tinually expressed by many in the medical profession.
Even with the latest drug treatments and decline in deaths, many
in the medical profession still convey information to patients
in a way that promotes fear. Patients are not recommended to
take HIV drug treatments, but patients are told to take the
drugs or they will progress to disease and die. Physicians
should give test results and recommendations for possible inter-
ventions and treatments and should extend support without this
negative dialogue. My concern is that doctors often provide no
hope!
In 1985, I was told by an AIDS specialist to go home, inform my
family, arrange my finances and funeral and that I had six
months to live! Large numbers of individuals have been given
this inhumane death sentence and this continues today! No one
should be told he or she has six months to live! Many may give
up and not pursue healthy initiatives since the situation was
conveyed with less than a hopeful dialogue. Unfortunately, this
does not occur just with HIV, but with many physicians who treat
all types of illness. This negative dialogue has seriously im-
pacted upon many lives emotionally.
Is it ethical in the diagnosis of disease, to give patients a
probable life expectancy? Patients are given negative messaging
by the medical profession and told they have six months to live
or told there is nothing more that can be done! Health profes-
sionals should teach patients to take responsibility for their
health and not to be victims! Physicians should assist patients
to live! It is important to recognize an individual's willpower.
Many patients are told that they will die and do! Many others
discover through their will and through the rediscovery of the
purpose for being, the ability to live! Often, they live for
much longer periods of time than predicted!
Individuals involved in first aid, paramedics, doctors and
nurses in emergency rooms and hospitals, they all know first
hand the importance to be calm and give patients confidence,
avoiding panic and fear! This is equally important in a physi-
cian's office and what physicians have been taught and trained
to do! It is extremely important for physicians to convey test
results and possible treatments accurately and without personal
opinions, sarcasm, ridicule and fear tactics! Conveying all
available treatments and means to provide help in a supportive
and positive way!
When relaying information, doctors must presume that the patient
does not have any previous knowledge of their problem. Explana-
tions of test results or treatments should be given in a suppor-
tive tone, non-threatening, non-fatalistic and non-judgmental.
The language and voice used to convey information is very impor-
tant and a part of what we call a 'bedside manner'. Relaying in-
formation to a patient ensuring they understand as much as pos-
sible! NOT placing limitations on a patient's life! Making indi-
viduals aware of how much control they have over their lives.
Consider to what extent information may undermine health and
lack of purpose, as well as affecting or undermining other areas
of a person's life. Many health professionals do nothing to
eliminate stress and contribute to that stress in avoidable
ways.
There are many people who are very much in touch with their bod-
ies and know what is going on in their body. The medical profes-
sion can recognize this, rather than dismissing it entirely and
relying only on medical knowledge and resources.
Ron Rosenes, a Board Member of the Canadian Treatment Action
Council says, "One of the hallmarks of western or allopathic
medicine is the belief, proven with microscopes in the 19th Cen-
tury, that germs cause disease and that killing germs or in this
case HIV virus, is the best way to restore health. CAM practices
generally strive to promote healing, by viewing the individual
as a part of a larger framework that includes body, mind, spirit
and environment."
Many people who are in touch with their bodies have incorporated
nutrition, exercise, controlling stress, herbal and dietary sup-
plements, homeopathy and naturopathy, meditation, visualization
and making plans for the future. All of which contributed to
their well-being. Recognition of this by the medical profession
is lacking. It has been my experience and that of others that
insufficient attention is given to the patient who is aware of
his or her health and body. When a patient includes alternative
therapies in conjunction with medical resources, frequently phy-
sicians ignore anything other than the medical resources!
Dr. Jon Kaiser says, "Many physicians have little faith in the
body's ability to heal and that is why they promote reliance on
drugs."
I was told the virus would kill me. Repeatedly, this is ex-
pressed to others and me, during discussions with physicians!
Patients come out of doctors' offices and AIDS clinics teary
eyed, faced with fear conveyed by physicians! However, I do not
feel this is proper dialogue. This kind of dialogue does conjure
up fear in most individuals, affecting them psychologically as
well as physically. AIDS patients do not have to be hopeless,
helpless and passive in the face of the illness!
We need to find better ways for providing health care and im-
proving the quality of life for people living with serious dis-
ease. We can recognize the influence that our thoughts and emo-
tions have on our health and the importance of holistic thera-
pies that nourish all aspects of being. Positive thinking, nu-
trition, exercise, supplements and spiritual resources, all con-
tribute to wellness and a longer life span. All this, we should
be able to discuss with health professionals, allowing for a
peace of mind and a quality of life not given by time allotted
diagnosis. I realize the difficulty in making change. However, I
do believe we can all work together in order to educate, ensur-
ing proper information and awareness. I am committed to doing
everything I can in order to create awareness!
Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ 20 years
Vancouver, Canada
mailto:bradford@positivelypositive.ca
http://www.PositivelyPositive.ca