Seyyed Ziyao-L-Ddin Tabe, Mahdi Pasalar, Mehrzad Kiyani,
Volume 4, Issue 5 (10-2011)
Abstract
Adherence to ethical standards in the medical profession is one of the fundamental principles of the traditional Iranian medicine, and its significance is reflected in the words and works of founders of this school of medicine. One particularly valuable source is the esteemed work by the Iranian scholar Hakim Seyed Mohammad Hussein Aghili Khorasani Shirazi entitled “Kholasat-Al-Hekmat”, which was written more than two centuries ago. The present paper is a descriptive library research on this work. One significant characteristic of this book is the author’s careful attention to details in clarifying the principles of medical ethics. Although the “four principles” approach to medical ethics is a relatively recent concept in modern medicine, it has been fastidiously expounded and evaluated in Iranian works on medicine. For young physicians and researchers, being familiar with such sources and their analysis and comparison based on principles of modern medical ethics is a clear indication of the humoral medicine being deep-rooted and ethics based. The present study aimed to investigate and analyze medical ethics as presented in Kholasat-Al-Hekmat.
Abd-Ol-Hassan Kazemi, Mostafa Kazemi, Mahmood Abbasi, Mehrzad Kiyani, Nejat Feyzollahi, Sadyar Ataloo, Mahmood Massodiniya,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (4-2012)
Abstract
End stage patient control and autonomy are core principles in human bio-medical ethics and key components of end-of-life (EOL) care. Albeit, according to modern medical ethics principles the centrality of the patient as decision maker may not be relevant to culturally diverse groups of end stage people. The purpose of this article is to present results of a literature review of end stage patient control and their family position within the context of end of life support. The review revealed that the interaction between medical control and ethical values in end of life support is multifaceted and unpredictable.
According to the recommendations of American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine End-of-Life Consensus Panel and some other world class medical and ethical societies, culturally effective end of life support includes the following essential elements
• acceptance of and respect for cultural differences among all end stage patients
• willingness to negotiate and compromise when world views differ
• understanding of one's own values and biases
• contact and communication skills that enhance empathy
• information of the cultural practices of patient groups should be seen on a regular basis and
• attention that all patients are individuals and may not share the same views as others within their own ethnic group
According to the above description, applicants identified five domains of quality end of life support:
1. receiving adequate pain control
2. avoiding inappropriate prolongation of the dying process
3. achieving a sense of control
4. relieving burden on loved ones and
5. strengthening relationships
We emphasize that, despite above mentioned points and advices maintaining a sense of control is an essential element in the end of life support for some individuals, further study of the interplay between ethnicity, desire for control, and achieving a good death is needed.
