Table 1 The distribution from clinical ethical standpoint of the papers in the Korean Journal of Medical Ethics(1998-2020)

Major category Minor category No(%) of minor category No(%) of major category
Theory & methodology Clinical ethics theory/strategy 26(12.0) 26(12.0)
Birth to death Beginning of life 14(6.5) 55(25.4)
End of life decision(DNR etc) 26(12.0)
End of life care(Hospice) 8(3.7)
Euthanasia(active & passive) 7(3.2)
Doctor-patient relationship Shared decision making 9(4.2) 26(12.0)
Decision making capacity 9(4.2)
Informed consent 5(2.3)
Confidentiality, privacy 1(0.5)
Refusal of treatment 1(0.5)
Truth telling 0(0.0)
Patient’s best interest 1(0.5)
Professionalism Conflict of interest 11(5.1) 15(6.9)
Impaired colleagues 0(0.0)
Unproven treatment 1(0.5)
Gift from patient to doctor 0(0.0)
Patient’s safety, Medical error 2(0.9)
Physical/sexual abuses 1(0.5)
Policy/legal issues Medico-legal issues 24(11.1) 39(18.1)
Policy & insurance 15(6.9)
Others Resource allocation 4(1.9) 55(25.4)
Organ transplantation 8(3.7)
Students/residents issues 6(2.8)
Clinical ethics consultation 13(6.0)
Research ethics 14(6.5)
etc(genetics, chemical castration … ) 11(5.1)
Total, No(%) 216(100.0) 216(100.0)