The Future of Critical Care: Technological Advances and Moral Choices

• Buchman Timothy G.

  Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine

Bibliographic Information

Other Title

• Technological Advances and Moral Choices

Abstract

The demographics of clinical populations can predict the demand for critical care services. Both Japan and the United States forecast a substantial expansion of the aged population. The inevitable consequence is a sharp increase in the number of patients who may wish to be admitted to an intensive care unit. No economy can meet the predicted demand. As a consequence, some rationing of critical care services is inevitable. Such rationing cannot be done by rules, but rather must reflect a system of values that is clearly stated and compassionately applied. Each critical care physician must undertake introspection to understand his or her own values and ensure that those values are transparent in any rationing process. Values such as integrity, honesty and respect for the personal views of patients and families can enlighten difficult decisions regarding the goals and duration of critical care services.

Journal

• Journal of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine

  Journal of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine 13 (2), 131-134, 2006

  The Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine

Keywords

• critical care
• technology
• ethical principles
• distributive justice

Details

• CRID: 1390282679421508864
• NII Article ID: 130003641453
• NII Article ID: 10018810843
• NII Book ID: AN10474053
• DOI: 10.3918/jsicm.13.131
• ISSN: 1882966X
• ISSN: 13407988
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2007003599
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed