Stressful ethical issues in uremia therapy.
The objectives of this review are to introduce and explore the following representative ethical problems generated by modern renal replacement therapy: (1) reviewing the historical origin of medical ethics with specific reference to nephrology; (2) recognizing the complex stresses surrounding assignment of a deceased donor renal transplant to a geriatric patient while young patients continue waiting for a donor kidney; and (3) appreciating the concept of futility and support for a uremic patient opting for death rather than further uremia therapy as the best in choice in coping with renal failure.
Friedman
Eli A
EA
Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11203, USA. eli.friedman@downstate.edu
D000368:Aged; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006437:Hemodialysis, Home / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D019520:Living Donors; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000941:ethics; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy / Q000941:ethics*; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000941:ethics; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy*