Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Mathiesen, Tiit I.
• Balak, Naci
• Samprón, Nicolás
• Broekman, Marike
• Bolger, Ciarán

Titel

Ethico-legal regional differences in European neurosurgical practice: Part 1-pre-COVID-19 era

Ist Teil von

• Brain & spine, 2022, Vol.2, p.100899-100899, Article 100899

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Quelle

Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Professionalism entails expert knowledge, self-regulation, accountability, and professional ethics. These factors are influenced by culture, political observance, professional maturity, education, and occupation; ethical practices may thus vary between countries and affect how neurosurgery is practiced. This paper aims to conduct a survey that addresses whether ethico-legal practices differ in European countries and whether existing ethical guidelines have been implemented. A questionnaire survey was used to examine the ethico-legal situation in 29 European countries or regions. The reports were validated by representatives of each nation. Existing guidelines had been implemented to a minimal extent. Major regional and national differences were found in attitudes toward life and death, prioritization, and issues related to professional conduct. The results of this survey reveal inadequacies and weaknesses of policies and resources, which should spark national discussions to improve the conditions that influence professional ethics. Unfortunately, only a minority of neurosurgeons know the neurosurgical ethics guidelines and apply them in their decision making. Our findings highlight the importance of values and professional ethics in decision making. •Data from a European survey on ethical-legal issues are presented as a preliminary benchmark.•A lack of beds appeared to affect practice in life-threatening situations.•The findings also revealed inadequacies and weaknesses of policies and resources.•Our findings highlight the importance of values and professional ethics in decision making.