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J Med Ethics 2003;29:353-358 doi:10.1136/jme.29.6.353
  • Clinical ethics

Priority setting in cardiac surgery: a survey of decision making and ethical issues

  1. L Ridderstolpe1,
  2. G Collste2,
  3. H Rutberg3,
  4. H Åhlfeldt1
  1. 1Department of Biomedical Engineering/Medical Informatics, Linköping University, Sweden
  2. 2Centre for Applied Ethics, Linköping University, Sweden
  3. 3Linköping Heart Center, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
  1. Correspondence to:
 Hans Åhlfeldt
 PhD, Linköping University Department of Biomedical Engineering/Medical Informatics University Hospital S-581 85 Linköping Sweden; Hans.Ahlfeldt{at}imt.liu.se
  • Accepted 30 December 2002
  • Revised 2 October 2002

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine priority setting for coronary artery bypass surgery, and to provide an overview of decisions and rationales used in clinical practice.

Method: Questionnaires were sent to all permanently employed cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and anaesthesiologists at nine Swedish hospitals performing adult cardiothoracic surgery.

Results: A total of 208 physicians responded (a 44% return rate). There was considerable agreement concerning the criteria that should be used to set priorities for coronary artery bypass interventions (clusters of factors in synthesis). However, there was a lack of accord regarding the use of national guidelines for priority setting and risk indexes.

Conclusions: Basic training and the strong support of ethical principles in priority setting are lacking. The respondents indicated a need for clearer guidelines and an open dialogue or discussion. The lack of generally acknowledged plans and guidelines for priority setting may result in unequal, conditional, and unfair treatment.

Footnotes

  • This study was supported by grant no. F2001-320 from FORSS (The Research Council of South-eastern Sweden) in Linköping, a grant from SSF (Swedish Nurses Association) in Stockholm, and a grant from the Swedish Federation of County Councils.

  • There was no conflict of interest in this study.

  • Approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital in Linköping.

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