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Published on: March 27, 2018
Ethical issues in geriatric nephrology: overview
1National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Summary
Life-sustaining technologies (LST) improve health and prolong life, but raise ethical concerns. These challenges are particularly complex for elderly patients requiring chronic care, such as end-stage renal disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Geriatric Care
- Bioethics
Background:
- Medical advancements over recent decades have introduced life-sustaining technologies (LST).
- These technologies have significantly increased patient lifespan and overall well-being.
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment exemplifies LST and chronic care provision challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ethical dilemmas associated with life-sustaining technologies.
- To examine the specific challenges in chronic and catastrophic care, using ESRD as a model.
- To highlight the heightened ethical considerations for elderly patients undergoing LST.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of medical advancements and ethical frameworks.
- Analysis of case studies related to end-stage renal disease treatment.
- Ethical analysis of resource allocation, and care initiation/termination in LST contexts.
Main Results:
- LST have led to increased longevity and improved health outcomes.
- Ethical dilemmas include resource allocation and decisions regarding the initiation and termination of LST.
- Elderly patients present unique and complex ethical challenges regarding LST.
Conclusions:
- While LST offer significant benefits, they introduce profound ethical considerations.
- Ethical decision-making for LST, especially in elderly populations, requires careful and nuanced approaches.
- The complexities of chronic care and LST necessitate ongoing ethical discourse and policy development.
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