Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
The Korean Society for Medical Ethics
Article

환자와 의사의 도덕적 대화를 위한 덕으로서 존중(Respect)

김진경1,*
Jin-Kyong KIM1,*
1부산대학교 윤리교육학과
1Department of Ethical Education, Pusan National University
*부산대학교 윤리교육학과. 051-312-6223. regina05@hotmail.com

ⓒ Copyright 2006 The Korean Society for Medical Ethics. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Published Online: Dec 31, 2006

ABSTRACT

Some of the medical problems that physicians confront cannot be solved merely through the application of objective medical knowledge and technology. Some medical problems involve a moral dimension related to the life of the patient. Therefore, physicians should be interested, not only in medical technologies and techniques, but also in the lives of their patients. For this reason, increasing emphasis is being placed on communication between patients and physicians. In order to treat patients effectively, physicians should consider the requirements and values of their patients through dialogue with them. However, problems arise in light of the fact that patients and physicians may not always agree in the course of their communication. There is always room for conflict between the physician’s and the patient’s view of what is best for the patient. The virtue of respect, as the inner character and quality that make individuals act appropriately when faced with moral dilemmas, has an important meaning in medical practice. The virtue of respect, internalized to become part of one’s own character, becomes an important value in the decision-making process and enables physicians to do what is in the best interests of their patients. The virtue of respect is a fundamental virtue for communication between physicians and patients and is an especially important value in current medical practice, which places great emphasis on the rights of patients.

Keywords: 치료 관계; 덕 윤리; 의사결정과정; 불확실성; 환자와 의사의 의사소통; 도덕적 대화; 존중의 덕
Keywords: Healing relationships; Virtue ethics; Decision-making; Uncertainty; Communication between patients and physicians; Moral dialogue; The virtue of respect