Intensive Care Residents? Views Regarding Ethical Issues and Practices

Abstract

Background: This study sought to understand the ethical issues encountered by medical residents during their residencies, evaluate the solutions proffered by them, and present their suggestions. Material/Methods: A survey consisting of 32 questions, including demographic information, was developed and distributed to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) residents from December 2020 to January 2021. A total of 53 completed question-naires were submitted to the researchers. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0.Results: Of the participating residents who returned completed forms, 50.9% were male and 49.1% were female, with an overall mean age of 30.5 +/- 4.4 years. Most residents' views on ethical issues concerned themselves, the clin-ic, and patients/patient relatives. Responses showed a number of commonalities with the views of ICU physi-cians in other countries. Suggestions for resolving ethical issues solutions included instruction in medical eth-ics for all staff, increasing and strengthening pathways of communication both inside and outside of the clinics, regular inventory of medical supplies and assessment of equipment to prevent a shortage of resources, and the establishment of a hospital ethics committee. Conclusions: As numerous and varied ethical issues were encountered in the participating ICUs, we propose the following: preparation of an ICU-specific guide for resolving ethical problems, clarification of rules based on legal regula-tions, determining a hierarchy of responsibilities, and ethics courses for all ICU staff. In addition, hospital man-agers should support ICU services from both a legal and ethical standpoint.