Title: [Ethical conflicts in health care for adolescents]

POPLINE Document Number: 315152

Author(s):

Taquette SR
de Vilhena MM
Silva MM
Vale MP

Source citation:

Cadernos de Saude Publica, 2005 Nov-Dec;21(6):1717-1725.

Abstract:

The goal of this research was to identify ethically conflicting situations experienced by health professionals during health appointments with adolescents in order to create a protocol for action to help professionals make decisions and to protect the clients. The study used an observational cross-sectional method through interviews with health professionals at the Center for Studies on Adolescent Health, Rio de Janeiro State University, to obtain data from cases involving bioethical, ethical, and legal conflicts. Seventy-four professionals reported 149 cases, in which there were 250 conflicts identified through posterior qualitative analysis. The conflicts were interconnected, but for didactic reasons they were mentioned here separately. They included: secrecy and confidentiality, illicit activities, violence, contraception in girls less than 15 years of age, negligence, autonomy, and recording of confidential information on patient medical records. We conclude that there are constant ethical conflicts during health appointments with adolescents, and that bioethics is a useful instrument for solving them. It is also essential to be familiar with the prevailing legislation, to consult pertinent organizations, and to evaluate situations individually. (author's)

Keywords:

Brazil
Research Report
Qualitative Research
Adolescents
Providers With Clients
Adolescent Health Services
Ethics
Confidential Information
Contraception
Physician-Patient Relations
Violence
Records
South America, Eastern
South America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Research Methodology
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Sociocultural Factors
Family Planning
Interpersonal Relations
Behavior
Information Processing
Information