Brazilian bioethicists and the principles of universality and integrality in the National Health System.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the meanings attributed by Brazilian bioethicists to the principles of universality and integrality in the Brazilian public health system.


METHODS
A qualitative and exploratory research was carried out with 20 Bioethics professors in the field of public health from July 2007 to July 2008. Participants were directors and former directors of the Brazilian Bioethics Society and of its local departments. Semi-structured interviews with open questions were conducted and followed by content analysis.


RESULTS
With regard to the principle of the universal access of Brazilians to the public system, most of interviewees were in favor of maintaining it. However, there were divergences of the principle of integrality, with the majority being inclined to restrict it.


CONCLUSIONS
Bioethicists hold a plurality of moral values and difficulties to morally decide on what would be a fair health system.
Fortes
Paulo Antonio de Carvalho
PA
Departamento de Prática de Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. pacfusp@usp.br
D001938:Brazil; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000941:ethics*; D026822:Ethicists; D005178:Faculty; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000941:ethics*; D036301:Qualitative Research