2013, Number 3
The benefits of a code of ethics to improve ethical standards in the Mexican Society of Transplants
Cantú-Quintanilla G, Alberú-Gómez J, Reyes-Acevedo R, Gracida-Juárez C, Medeiros DM, Gutiérrez EA, Mendoza SF, Barragán SA
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Language: Spanish
References: 5
Page: 97-100
PDF size: 214.53 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Background: How can information relevant for clarifying perplexities encountered in daily activity be made accessible to the Mexican Society of Transplants? An articulated code of ethics can perform three functions: introduce ethical values in the transplant culture, supply ethical orientation to face dilemmas in daily practice, and legitimize the application of penalties upon an improper behavior. Promotion of ethical standards in an organization implies three stages: taking part in their elaboration; implementing them, and communicating a code of ethics. Objective: To examine the possibility of implementing a code of ethics in the Mexican Society of Transplants. Material and methods: A survey was carried out with sociodemographic data on age, sex, profession, years of experience in transplants and participation in an Internal Transplant Committee, plus 10 questions to be applied before and after a session on Bioethics at the XV Symposium on Kidney Transplant, July 2012. Questions dwelt on the benefits of having a code of ethics, the relationship between what is legal and what is ethical in transplants, legal suits upon non-legal and non-ethical actions, and the usefulness of appointing an ombudsman. Results: 88 filled-out questionnaires were received, 61% from women, with an average age of 42 years; of those who answered, 67% were physicians, 22% nurses, 7% social workers, 4% others. Out of the total, 37% had less than 5 years of experience in transplants, 19% had an experience of 5 to 10 years, and 43% had over 10 years of experience. 56% take part in an Internal Transplant Committee. 100% of the respondents think that a code can be useful to promote ethical standards in transplant surgery. 97% think that the work of an Internal Transplant Committee can be enriched with a code of ethics, for three reasons: first, having it in written makes it easier to have it in mind; second, its frequent recall orients decision-making, and third, it is easier to realize when the code is not complied with. However, 73% thinks that a legal framework is enough for ethical behavior in transplant surgery. 100% thinks that non-legal transplant practice should be denounced, and 97% thinks that non-ethical transplant practice should. However, only 78% thinks that an ombudsman would be helpful for such purpose. Conclusions: An ethical code could be a useful tool for the Mexican Society of Transplants.REFERENCES