What Ethics Support for Resolving Ethical Conflicts Do Internists Use in Spanish Hospitals?

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Clinical Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Ethical conflicts pose significant challenges in daily clinical practice.
• Limited research exists on the ethical advisory methods used by Spanish physicians.
• Understanding these methods is crucial for improving clinical ethical support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the methods Spanish hospital internal medicine physicians use to resolve ethical doubts.
• To determine which ethical resolution tools physicians consider most useful.
• To assess the current landscape of ethical conflict resolution in Spanish internal medicine.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study design was employed.
• A voluntary, anonymous online survey was distributed via the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine platform.
• Data collected included methods for resolving doubts, sought tools, committee consultations, and satisfaction levels.

Main Results:

• 86% of 261 surveyed internists sought assistance for ethical doubts.
• Consultation with colleagues was the most common method (58.6%).
• Specific protocols (11.8%) and bioethics experts (9.6%) were also utilized, with protocols and expert consultants being the most preferred tools.

Conclusions:

• Spanish internists commonly seek external help for ethical dilemmas.
• Peer consultation is the predominant method for resolving ethical issues.
• There is a strong perceived need for structured resources, particularly clinical ethics protocols and dedicated consultants, to manage ethical conflicts effectively.