The teaching of bioethics to the health care team: the neurologist's role.

The term 'bioethics' connotes not only the complexity of the subject but also the importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to it. Any given bioethical issue should be considered from a biological as well as anthropological and social perspective. Treating and evaluating ethical ideas without regard for these three aspects means diminishing and limiting them. Owing to the progress in intensive care and thanks to our increased sensitivity towards patients affected by irreversible diseases, many ethical problems have emerged relating to new conditions (for instance persistent vegetative state) or to already known ones (for example the later stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or dementias). In future, it is likely that neurologists will be called upon to address an increasing number of ethical concerns, as primary care givers, consultants or members of ethics consultative teams, given that they are the most qualified to throw light on individual cases with regard to their diagnostic and prognostic, as well as on ethical, rational and emotional aspects. Neurologists are eminently suitable to play a crucial part in medical decision making regarding issues such as the administration or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Furthermore, neurologists have much to contribute to the education of the health care team. This is because they are used to formulating judgments grounded on their professional experience in dealing with problems both physical and psychological. On the basis of these considerations, the author believes that neurologists are among the most qualified to bridge the gap between the two major components of bioethics: natural and human science. These components should find their synthesis and completeness in the bioethical debate.