[Ethical questions in the Spanish journal "Medicina Paliativa": 1994 - 2013]. / Cuestiones éticas en la revista medicina paliativa: 1994 - 2013.

OBJECTIVE: "Medicina Paliativa" is the official journal of the Spanish Society of Palliative Care ("Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos"; SECPAL) and it reflects the interests, also on bioethics, of the professionals caring terminal people. We want to know what the bioethical questions they discuss and their approaches are. METHODS: From all the published articles in "Medicina Paliativa" from 1994 to 2013 we selected those referred to bioethics topics. We analysed: number of publications, author, subtype of article, year of publication, topic, philosophic approach, and the presence of answers and discussion. Qualitative topics were reviewed and agreed by at least two authors. RESULTS: There were 60 (9%) publications with bioethics profile from a total of 672 analyzed articles. A majority were signed by only one author. 31 (51%) were published as letter. The most relevant topics were: euthanasia, dignity, proportionality of treatment and care, sedation, principles of bioethics, and information. The orientation of these papers was, in a majority, according to principles of palliative care. Most bioethics topics have been answered and even answered back. CONCLUSION: Bioethics is an interesting topic in palliative care. The arguments usually fit the principles of palliative care.

Cuestiones éticas en la revista medicina paliativa: 1994 - 2013 / Ethical questions in the spanish journal "medicina paliativa": 1994 - 2013

Objetivo: La revista Medicina Paliativa, publicación oficial de la Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos (SECPAL), refleja las inquietudes, también bioéticas, de los profesionales que atienden enfermos en situación terminal. Pretendemos conocer las cuestiones y los planteamientos bioéticos que debaten estos profesionales. Material y método: De los artículos publicados en Medicina Paliativa de 1994 a 2013 se recogen los que se centran en cuestiones bioéticas. Se analiza: número de trabajos, autores, tipo de artículo, año de publicación, tema, orientación y réplicas y/o debate. Las cuestiones de perfil cualitativo se han consensuado entre los revisores. Resultados: Se recogen 60 trabajos de perfil bioético, que suponen el 9% de los 672 analizados. La mayor parte tienen un solo autor. 31 (51%) se han publicado en formato de carta. Los temas más relevantes han sido: eutanasia, dignidad, proporcionalidad de las medidas, sedación, principios de bioética e información. La orientación de los trabajos se adapta en la mayoría de los casos a los principios de los Cuidados Paliativos. Las cuestiones bioéticas se han prestado al debate con réplicas y contrarréplicas. Conclusión: La bioética es un área de interés y debate en Cuidados Paliativos. Los argumentos se adaptan a los principios de los Cuidados Paliativos

Objective: "Medicina Paliativa" is the official journal of the Spanish Society of Palliative Care ("Sociedad Española de Cuidados Paliativos"; SECPAL) and it reflects the interests, also on bioethics, of the pro-fessionals caring terminal people. We want to know what the bioethical questions they discuss and their approaches are. Methods: From all the published articles in "Medicina Paliativa" from 1994 to 2013 we selected those referred to bioethics topics. We analysed: number of publications, author, subtype of article, year of publication, topic, philosophic approach, and the presence of answers and discussion. Qualitative topics were reviewed and agreed by at least two authors. Results: There were 60 (9%) publications with bioethics profile from a total of 672 analyzed articles. A majority were signed by only one author. 31 (51%) were published as letter. The most relevant topics were: euthanasia, dignity, proportionality of treatment and care, sedation, principles of bioethics, and information. The orientation of these papers was, in a majority, according to principles of palliative care. Most bioethics topics have been answered and even answered back. Conclusion: Bioethics is an interesting topic in palliative care. The arguments usually fit the principles of palliative care