Abstract
This publication, unique in the Czech market, provides a basic, at the same time comprehensive insight into the issue of ethical counseling in healthcare. Ethical counseling is still looking for its place in health care facilities in the Czech Republic - its task (or the task of an ethical counselor and a specially trained team) is to solve specific ethical dilemmas, such as discontinuing treatment, introducing PEG and others.
At the same time, it places demands on the training of staff in ethical issues and on the preparation of strategies that help prevent conflicting ethical situations. The author tries to lead the reader to connect communication approaches (facilitation and mediation) with methods of ethical reflection, based on proven methodologies used in the US and Germany, where ethical counseling is already implemented in many healthcare facilities and where many of its measurable benefits are demonstrated.
MUDr. Jaromír Matějek, Ph.D., Th.D., is a pioneer in the field of ethical counseling in the Czech Republic.