Bioethical issues in clinical practice, one of UMED’s more frequently requested conference, was again a “best seller” for the year 2008. With the formation of new board of advisers for the fields of Dermatology, Neurology and Psychiatry, it was a consensus among these key opinion leaders that the said subject matter was a very appropriate opening salvo.

Bioethics is a science of “correct knowledge and correct action”. It encompasses principles largely applicable to the practice of medical science and health professionals as persons and social beings. In two different venues, Grand Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila and Hotel Stotsenberg in Clarkfield, Pampanga, 255 medical practitioners in the field of Dermatology, Neurology & Psychiatry participated in two interactive state-of-the-art meetings that dealt with a framework of the philosophical basis of bioethics and its applications to medical decision making. The program was the result of a series of meetings with the board of advisers in Dermatology: Drs. Nenita Alberto, Lorna Frez, Arnelfa Paliza, Roberta Romulo & Francisca Roa and Neurology/Psychiatry: Drs. Abdias Aquino, Ester Bitanga, Joven Cuanang, Leonor Cabral-Lim, Jose Navarro, Martesio Perez, Lourdes Ledesma, Lillian Lee, Marilyn Ortiz, Aida Salonga, Cornelio Banaag, Paul Lee, Ruby Manalastas, Pureza Oñate, Baltazar Reyes, and Bernardino Vicente.

Dr. Edgardo Ortiz, in both occasions, welcomed the delegates with sincere thanks for their participation. Likewise, the same gratitude was conveyed to the faculty, participating pharmaceutical divisions and all those involved in making the event possible.

These conferences focused on the issues and bioethical concepts that were relevant to daily clinical scenarios. For the Neurology meeting, Fr. Enrico Gonzales, in his talk on the “Philosophy of Bioethical Principles and Practice” emphasized on power, care, commitment and human dignity. Dr. Marita Reyes, gave a very interesting discussion on the use of “Jonsen’s Four-Box Analysis” as the basis for decision making on ethical dilemmas and conflicts. For the topic on “Ethical Practice of the Professions”, Dr. Esperanza Rivera approached her discussion from a very practical point of a medical practitioner. Dr. Patrick Moral, for his part, dealt with issues on the “Chronic Care in Neurology: Ethical Concerns” with a profoundly animated lecture. “Issues at the End of Life in Neurology and Psychiatric Practice” was handled by Dr. Angeles Alora. The talk of Atty. Albert Rebosa, which discussed the relationship of ethics and law, was followed by an extended open forum because of the many inquiries from the participants.

The conference implemented for the Dermatology meeting was equally interesting. Fr. Fausto Gomez lectured on “Philosophical Basis of Bioethics”. This was followed by talks given by Drs. Angeles Alora and Patrick Moral on “Ethical Decision Making” and “Medical Ethics in Clinical Practice”. Atty. Peter Ng, took charge of the medico legal perspective in the practice of Dermatology.

In both meetings, the participants were divided in small groups for interactive discussions of actual clinical cases with important bioethical issues. This was followed by a presentation of the cases to a panel of experts whose insights further enlightened the audience on the practical application of bioethical principles.

Consistently, State-of-the-Art meetings in Bioethics were well received, well attended and appreciated for their content and relevance. They were truly accomplishments aligned with UMED’s goal of achieving total professional development for its most important client - the Filipino physician.