Patient prioritization in medical emergencies: an ethical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and analyze, in the light of ethical considerations, the choices and justifications of public health professionals in hypothetical situations of patient prioritization in circumstances of limited resources during emergency medical care.


METHODS
Qualitative and quantitative study, carried out through interviews with 80 public health professionals, graduate students (MSc and PhD students) in public health who were faced with hypothetical situations involving the criteria of gender, age, and responsibility, asked to choose between alternatives that referred to the existence of people, equally submitted to life-threatening situations, who needed care in an emergency department.


RESULTS
The choices prioritized children, young individuals, women, and married women, with decision-making invoking the ethical principles of vulnerability, social utility, and equity.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows a clear tendency to justify the choices that were made, guided by utilitarian ethics.
Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. pacfusp@usp.br
Paulo Antônio de Carvalho
PA
Fortes
Patricia Cristina Andrade
PC
Pereira
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making / Q000941:ethics*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000941:ethics*; D026689:Ethical Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection / Q000941:ethics*; D011634:Public Health / Q000941:ethics*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012945:Social Values; D026712:Value of Life; D055815:Young Adult