Refl exiones éticas desde la experiencia práctica de la crisis COVID-19

Abstract

The aim of this article was to conduct an ethical reflection based on documents generated during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing conclusions about what has been learned and what we still have to learn. Six areas of action will be developed: Prioritization of resources, faceto- face consultation and telemedicine, (un)protection of professionals, care in nursing homes, social response, and last days care. Facing lack of resources, public authority can establish criteria that limit the right to health protection. The allocation can be justified according to the patient's ability to recover, without discriminating by age or disability. Telematic consultation can keep patient-clinician relationship, but requires time and training. The clinical relationship has deontological requirements, and requires improving technology and telematic communication skills. The war metaphor generates pressure and confusion over the scope of duty in the face of the serious lack of protection suffered by professionals. The value of interdependence and responsibility must be enhanced, not "romanticizing" the risk, and compensating professionals and their families. Nursing homes in our country are predominantly large centers, organized by tasks, with little autonomy and privacy. We must decide which models we want and can afford, and which shared risks we assume from common values. Civil society can respond to crises (democracy is the "government of the people", which must begin in public life, not in politicians. Accompaniment at death is a recognized right). Exceptional limitation of resources cannot be total deprivation. Advanced care planning requires talking about fears and values with patients and their families. It is a deliberative process we must recover in the COVID-19 era.