Technoethics in the doctor-patient relationship
IV Patient Conference organized by SEMI.
During the meeting it was discussed rights of patients, of respect for theirs autonomyon techno-ethics and how technology contributed to changing the relationship between doctor and patient, as well as to the need to achieve person-oriented and humanistic medicine. In the current context in which we live, it became clear that technology is a “very useful” tool that is included in clinical practice so that diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are more precise, but “it should not replace the essence of the doctor – relationship with the patient, which is based on communication, sensitivity and shared decision-making”.
The meeting was opened by Jesus Dies Manglanopresident of SEMI, and for Arantazu Alvarez de Arcaya, SEMI Coordinator of Patient Relations and Coordinator of the Hospital Medicine Clinical Management Department of San Carlos Clinical Hospital. Díez Manglano reiterated at the opening that for the medical profession in general and internal medicine specialists in particular, “the voice of patients is and should be fundamental” and emphasizes “the overall and holistic vision that characterizes the work of the internist”. Also in that “greater attention and commitment from the clinical field to the end-of-life process is urgently needed” and in this sense he recalled the consensus promoted by SEMI-SPMI on good practices in the end-of-life process .
In the words of Arantzazu Álvarez de Arcaya, SEMI’s Patient Relations Coordinator: “new technologies have changed the way we relate to each other and this is something we all need to learn to continue creating high value drug based on affectivity. The challenge is to know how to integrate new technologies to promote humanistic medicine.
The last stage of the patient’s life
In the course of the day, they discussed end of life process, a stage in which patients are in a situation of “great vulnerability”, both physical, psychological and even moral; “We do not forget his family and loved ones, also very affected by the situation from an emotional and vital point of view.
The meaning of humanistic medicine and that clinical practice focused solely on evidence and data should be avoided. “The clinical relationship must be reoriented to effective communication between two people. Technology is important and necessary, as is respect for patient autonomy. However, it is optimal for someone to lead the whole process with common sense and clinical reasoning, i.e. a good doctor. Otherwise, medicine will be reduced to data and evidence only. It will be reduced to a consumer good, far removed from its true foundation: the best healthcare for patients.
through different tablesit became clear that technology has invaded our lives and changed ours knowledgeours behavior and our way of they relate. And in the environment we live in at the moment, close to technolatry, reflections arise on whether we should do all we can and how to apply ethics to technology (technoethics). Technologies solve social problems and at the same time cause the need to rethink the way we should act, redefine concepts and revise the principles on which we base our actions. “It’s about avoiding misuse of technology so that it doesn’t interfere with people’s well-being.”
The evolution of the doctor-patient relationship
The classic doctor-patient relationship was based on charity. That is, thinking about what doctors think is best for the patient, they decide for the patient himself. This created a type of relationship that was called paternal. In recent decades, the change has been radical, as patients’ rights and above all respect for their autonomy. This completely transformed the clinical relationship model. An information model (information model or template) is proposed in which the doctor and patient exchange information and the patient decides. However, this model has its drawbacks, as many patients want more than just information and advice from a doctor. Doctor’s recommendation what is best for him. This pattern or model is called deliberative. In the counseling relationship, doctor and patient exchange information, but also their opinions and evaluations of what is best.
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