Información del artículo
Resumen
El término limitación de esfuerzos terapéuticos (LET) se refiere al hecho de no iniciarle o retirarle un tratamiento médico a un paciente (con capacidad de decidir o sin esta) que no se beneficia clínicamente de este. Aunque algunos países ya cuentan con legislación y documentos oficiales para formalizarlo, son diversas las razones que limitan la divulgación y aceptación de esta propuesta. Una de ellas es la creencia de médicos e instituciones de salud, que este asunto es responsabilidad exclusiva de los pacientes; otra es que tanto médicos como la comunidad en general consideran que esta discusión es solo para ancianos o enfermos terminales. Es necesario abordar el tema de LET desde los escenarios académicos para fomentar una sana reflexión ética que les permita a los médicos asistir a pacientes y familias en la dura tarea de ser autónomos, de decidir por sí mismos y de planear su futuro.
Palabras clave:
Limitación de esfuerzos terapéuticos
futilidad médica
decisiones anticipadas
derecho subrogado
ética médica
Abstract
The term LTE (Limitations on Therapeutic Efforts) refers to the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment to a patient (either with or without capacity to decide) who does not clinically benefit from it. Although some countries already have legislation and official documents to formalize it, there are several reasons limiting the dissemination and acceptance of this proposal. One is the fact that physicians and health institutions consider this issue as the sole responsibility of patients; another reason is that physicians and the community in general believe the discussion refers just to elderly and terminal patients. It is necessary an academic approach on LTE from both, physicians and the community in general, to promote a sound ethical reflection so as to assist patients and their relatives in the hard task of becoming autonomous to decide and plan their futures.
Key words:
Withholding and withdrawing of life support
medical futility
medical ethics
advance care planning
subrogated right
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Conflictos de interés: Las autoras manifiestan que no tienen conflictos de interés en este artículo.
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