Alena Buyx: Navigating Life and Death's Ethical Maze
"A general aversion exists among us to ponder our mortality"
Alena Buyx, once chair of the German Ethics Council, isn't just a household name in medical ethics, but a guide through life's big questions. Her book, "Life and Death," may not provide answers, but it sure does pose them. After all, as Alena puts it, every ethical dilemma in society needs an individual response too.
ntv.de: Which medical ethical question stirs the most minds these days?
Alena Buyx: It all boils down to two crucial questions: How do I want to live? And how do I want to die? The first question delves into personal lifestyle, health, and medicine. The second, obviously, is the heart of her field. While 70% of people succumb to their fates in healthcare facilities and not peacefully on their beds as they prefer, a shocking 11% even breathe their last breath while being artificially ventilated.
Why are advance directives and healthcare proxies shunned despite embracing control over one's end?
Fear of contemplating mortality and vague worries of being shut off are common deterrents. Fortunately, studies reveal that clinical ethics consultation tends to prolong life instead. Alena recounts numerous instances where discussions about end-of-life preferences extend treatment beyond the desired limit.
Knowledge of these facts, how can it steer right decision-making?
Personal preparations foster a touch of reassurance and clarity. Clearly articulating your preferences for the twilight phase of life makes decision-making on behalf of others an easier process, often necessary in such situations. Some simply yearn to fight to the very end, hoping for every chance to regain awareness. For them, extended mechanical ventilation might be part of the package. Other individuals, having cancer for instance, don't wish for artificial ventilation anymore, opting against intensive care. Recognizing and addressing these varying preferences in advance transforms the process from distressing to significant and, at times, even meaningful.
Five years of Corona in the "ntv Salon" – have we learned anything from the pandemic, Alena Buyx and Christian Drosten? What's changing?
Though the stress and challenges persist, we're better equipped and prepared to face them. This newfound readiness can have a liberating effect, especially when experienced collectively. It doesn't have to be just fear and anxiety.
Does the manner of death change depending on age and circumstances?
Indeed, it does. The context should always be taken into account during will-formation. More youthful persons, struck by accidents perhaps, may see things differently as they age.
I am middle-aged, healthy, with a long life ahead but contemplating my mortality. I've checked my advance directives and feel ready. I have sons who are young, should I, despite disability or being hooked to a ventilator, wish to persevere for them? In 30 or 40 years, I may not feel the same. The question "How do I want to die?" is intertwined with "How do I want to live?". What's vital to me, what am I not willing to compromise? Or what state do I deem worthy of existing?
Recommendations
Navigating preemptive care planning can be challenging without professional guidance. Should you find yourself diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness, consider seeking advice from specialists trained for such situations. The process begins with an emergency card and ascends to a living will and a designated decision-maker. Informal discussions with loved ones also help, as some may gain valuable insights from elder or ill acquaintances who have faced such questions.
The Panorama's Five years of Corona in the "ntv Salon" – have we learned anything from the pandemic, Alena Buyx and Christian Drosten? What is changing?
Notwithstanding the persistence of stressful and difficult situations, we're becoming better prepared. Upon reflection, this preparation can bring relief. Shared experiences can even make it a meaningful process, not just scary.
It appears that dying peacefully at home is a rarity. How can things unfold favorably in a hospital?
It's crucial to adopt an understanding attitude, acknowledging that healthcare systems face increasing strain as fewer professionals shoulder more responsibilities. Most hospital staff genuinely care about their patients. Research indicates that conversations about end-of-life preferences tend to improve outcomes. By stating our wishes, we might say, "We'd like things to go this way or that; what can we do to make it closer to our vision?" Most hospital stays run smoothly, with gratitude ensuing in most cases.
Panorama's Midwife and Funeral Director "Being born and dying connects us all" – in a world less bound by religion, many ethical questions are strongly tied to religious justifications. What does this suggest about us, seeking religious solace in matters no longer of primary importance?
Religious value systems can serve as a reservoir of beliefs, resurfacing during existential crises. For many, they might harbor strong religious influences from cultural heritage or upbringing. This explains their continued significance in debates, despite diminished religious belief among the general population.
Do ethical evaluations within society alter due to new biotechnological possibilities?
They are tested, though not necessarily changed. Debates are often needed to establish guidelines for legislation.
What next medical ethical question should we tackle?
Dealing with new technologies in medicine is clearly the key question for the upcoming decade. AI regulation provides a crucial foundation, as healthcare is entering a phase where humans are exceptionally vulnerable. The integration of technology can help manage demographic change and skilled worker shortages but must be used responsibly. Defining the boundaries of technology's role and where humans must retain control is the critical challenge for modern healthcare.
Solveig Bach conversed with Alena Buyx
Sources: no specific references provided.
Topics: Medicine, Death, Hospital, Organ donation, Health, Healthcare system.
"The community policy regarding end-of-life care and advance directives should be revised to incorporate vocational training programs for medical professionals, emphasizing the importance of discussing and respecting patient preferences. Such training could help in navigating the ethical maze, focusing on health-and-wellness and medical-conditions.
In the context of rapidly advancing biotechnology, it's essential to consider the ethical implications of vocational training in the medical field, as new science and technological developments will significantly impact how we address health issues and navigate the intricate web of medical ethics."
