Journals Information
Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 5(6), pp. 471 - 480
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050606
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Bioethics in Psychiatric Institutions of Kosovo: Case Study
Miftar Zenelaj *
Center for Integration and Rehabilitation of Chronic Psychiatric Patients-Shtime, Kosovo
ABSTRACT
The Mental Health Department in Kosovo makes one of the more important departments of public health. Therefore, based on this specific importance, the contemporary reforms which have been undertaken in this department, have a special importance. This study is precisely focused on this department and its objective is to prove the level of observance of ethical principles during the treatment of psychiatry patents in hospital environments. The research objective ceases at the analysis of norms and ethical principles' obedience, as well as observance of legitimate rights of people with mental disorders. The study treats problems in an integral way and it analyses important ethical issues due to coming to a tangible conclusion. In order to provide answers to the research's questions, the research method is based on the use of anonymous questionnaires given to the medical staff and on patients' interviews. Bioethics as a new discipline interferes with many aspects of applying medical-psychiatric practices by posing various dilemmas, such as: Where and what does a psychiatrist practice ;How and why does a psychiatrist practice various diagnostic methods; When and how is the treatment of the psychically ill practiced; How much does the psychiatrist respect the patients' rights; How much are the principles and ethical norms being respected in a mental health institution: The respect of patient's rights about information and self-determination related to the treatment; Preserving/keeping medial secrets; Treating patients with dignity; Morally-ethical behavior of the medical staff in mental health institutions; Observance of the International Convention about the Rights of Psychiatric Patients; The role of the psychiatrist in the compulsory psychiatric evaluation. Starting from the concept of psychic illnesses which present an individual's problem of living with the illness in his/her environment (community), because of the labeling and him/her being stigmatized as insane (a fool) constitutes a morally-ethical dilemma of our modern society. Insanity exists in the mind and behavior of the individuals who suffer from psychic disorders or spiritual illnesses whose substratum exists in his/her personality. This substratum can be organically-pathological but in most of the cases clinical experiences have shown that it can also happen as a result of psycho-social processes (traumas), by not excluding the concept of the individual's genetic construction. In the past the psychiatric patients have been deprived of their legal freedom even though they have had mental capacity of making decisions for their best interests and their well-being. As an answer to this and partly because of other justified reasons The Human Rights Act claims: "Everyone's right to life shall be protected by law" This means that in Mental Health institutions patients' rights of exercising autonomy and making free choices, including the right to refuse treatment, must be respected. Psychiatric patients need to get the care they need, including protection of their self-harming behavior and always by respecting ethical principles and norms.
KEYWORDS
Psychiatry, Bioethics, Patient, Dignity, Ethical Norms
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Miftar Zenelaj , "Bioethics in Psychiatric Institutions of Kosovo: Case Study," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 471 - 480, 2017. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050606.
(b). APA Format:
Miftar Zenelaj (2017). Bioethics in Psychiatric Institutions of Kosovo: Case Study. Sociology and Anthropology, 5(6), 471 - 480. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2017.050606.