ETHICS COMMITTEES AND THEIR SOCIAL PROJECTION

Abstract

Clinical ethics committees (CEC) fulfill three relevant functions: training in bioethics for mem­bers of the hospital community, participation in the institution’s ethical policies and guidelines, and advising clinical teams in resolving ethical problems. Both in Chile and in other countries, the function that demands the greatest dedication and that has been most evaluated in its impact is the consultative function. Thus, less time and effort are allocated to the educational task. In July 2023, a consultation was carried out to the CEC of public and private health institutions in Chile to find out the educational or training activities performed in the last 5 years. Of 83 queries sent, the response rate was 25%. A high percentage of those who responded (76%) had carried out at least one activity in the period, courses and conferences being the most frequent. There was a wide variety in the topics addressed, such as the adequacy of the therapeutic effort, exercise of autonomy, confidentiality, and end-of-life dilemmas, among others. Red de Salud UC CHRISTUS CEC stands out, because since 2016 has developed an annual conference with the objective of training and sharing experiences with members of other committees at the national level. It is concluded that it is necessary to continue promoting and evaluating the educational task of the CEC.