Ethical dilemmas in contexts of war: a study of Colombian medical narratives /Dilemas de la guerra: un estudio desde las narrativas medicas en Colombia/Dilemas da guerra: um estudo a partir das narrativas medicas na Colombia

• Published in: Revista latinoamericana de ciencias sociales, niñez y juventud Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 837 - 849
• Main Authors: Urrego-Mendoza, Diana Zulima, Quintero-Mejia, Marieta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Centro Internacional de Education y Desarrollo Humano (Cinde) y Universidad de Caldas 01-07-2015
• Subjects: Ethical aspects; Medical ethics; Medical practice; Physicians
• ISSN: 1692-715X; 2027-7679
• DOI: 10.11600/1692715x.13220210414

This study aims to understand the situations involving ethical dilemmas and identifies the principles that guide the decision-making processes of physicians in their practice within the context of the Colombian armed conflict. To achieve this, the study used a quantitative hermeneutic interpretive approach, adopting Ricoeurian narratives as a methodological strategy. The study identified the following situations in which ethical dilemmas occur: The value of life-to act as a physician or to act as an individual and look after oneself; Marking medical territories; Rebellion or submission? Being a physician, protocol or care for others, and; Beyond medicine; consultations or collective care. In terms of moral principles, the study identified moral obligations, professional duty, respect, autonomy, dignity, friendship, honesty, equality and international humanitarian law guidelines, among others.