Vnitr Lek 2002, 48(7):611-613

[Ethical aspects of treatment in patients with advanced oncologic diseases].

M Munzarová: Ustav lékarské etiky Lékarské fákulty MU, Brno.

Ethical aspects of treatment are discussed from the aspect of medical objectives and the doctor-patient relationship. The authors draws attention to various dangers of incorrect approaches which may ensue for the patient: unnecessary and excessively burdening antitumourous treatment, inadequate treatment--in particular of pain, queer views on palliative treatment, a paternalistic approach of the physician with insufficient respect for the patient's wishes, inadequate information provided to the patient, "abuse" of patients for different experimental treatments etc. The author discusses in detail the double effect principle and draws attention to classification of means into ordinary and extraordinary with regard to the patient's own evaluation.