Prolonging life and delaying death: The role of physicians in the context of limited intensive care resources
2009
The Role of Physicians in Limited Intensive Care Resources
Commentary
Author Information
Author(s): Robert C McDermid, Sean M Bagshaw
Primary Institution: University of Alberta Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Conclusion
The commentary discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by physicians in providing critical care amidst limited resources and high societal expectations.
Supporting Evidence
- Critical care is facing a crisis due to high expectations and limited resources.
- Physicians often have to triage patients based on subjective assessments.
- More than 150 critically ill Canadians have been transferred to American hospitals due to lack of ICU beds.
Takeaway
Doctors have to make tough choices about who gets life-saving treatment when there aren't enough resources, and this can be really complicated.
Potential Biases
Physicians may have biases that affect their decision-making regarding patient care and resource allocation.
Limitations
The commentary does not provide empirical data but discusses ethical considerations and perceptions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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