Abstract

PINHO, Micaela  and  BORGES, Ana Pinto. Which Ethical Principles Should Define Prioritization of Patients?. Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais [online]. 2017, n.113, pp.129-148. ISSN 2182-7435.  https://doi.org/10.4000/rccs.6681.

This article aims to study and compare the value judgments of Portuguese college students from the business and health fields regarding patient prioritization and compare these value judgments indirectly with those from the general public in England. For the study, we utilized a qualitative and quantitative approach applied to a hypothetical rationing exercise involving the prioritization of four patients, distinguished by their personal characteristics and health conditions. Data were analyzed through bivariate and content analysis. We concluded that Portuguese students support a plurality of ethical principles similar to those held by English society. However, there may be a conflict of opinions among Portuguese students regarding the prioritization of younger patients.

Keywords : ethical principles; healthcare; hospital management; patients' prioritization; Portugal.

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