Pulmonology and Critical Care

Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making in ICU Settings

The intensive care unit presents complex ethical challenges that require careful navigation to balance clinical judgment, patient autonomy, and resource allocation. This session examines key ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in critical care, such as end-of-life decision-making, withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatments, and managing patients with uncertain prognosis. Topics include the role of advanced directives, surrogate decision-making, and culturally sensitive communication. Legal and ethical frameworks guiding do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, palliative care integration, and consent in incapacitated patients are discussed. Emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary collaboration involving ethics committees, clinicians, families, and legal advisors to support transparent and compassionate decision-making. The session also explores the psychological burden on ICU staff and strategies to foster moral resilience and ethical leadership. Attendees will gain practical tools for navigating ethically charged situations with professionalism, empathy, and respect for human dignity, ultimately enhancing patient-centered care in critical environments.