연명의료결정법과 임상윤리서비스

Abstract

“Patient End-of-Life Decision Act 2016” mandate ethics consultation and review for end of life care decisions in practically every health care institute. But little attention has been given to issue of how the clinical ethics is provided to practitioners and patients. In this article I will argue that clinical ethics should be understood as ‘clinical ethics service’ that is composed of consultation, counseling, education and even administration: consultation for particular decisions about individual case; counseling to motivate professionals and promote ethical awareness and reasoning as well as support and comforting patients in difficult situtation; educating procedures to comply with law; administration such as document piling and reporting. This service should be provided in a team approach and clinical ethicists are part of team, equipped with theory and research capabilities. The research agenda for better clinical ethics service is presented.