June 7, 2010

I have found an internet connection here, finally, by sitting outside this late evening and braving mosquitos who hover but seem not terribly interested in landing--yet. Ruth, Josiah, and I are at the Central Philippine University hostel where all of the team stayed last night. Varneys and Woods have gone on to Bacolod, while the Rosells stayed behind one more day and night.
Today was a long day with the Dean and some faculty of CPU College of Medicine. Then I gave a bioethics lecture to mostly clinicians and nursing students at the Baptist related teaching hospital nearby--Iloilo Mission Hospital. Had long conversation there with the hospital director, chaplains, some physicians and members of their new bioethics committee. I found it a learning experience. I hope they did, too.

The bioethics issues here are similar to those in the States in some ways, but rather different in others, mostly pertaining to relative lack of resources. So some of my talk on ethics and medical futility made sense probably; but some likely did not, given that one of the problems faced here is family members wanting to withdraw or withhold beneficial treatments against medical advice due to lack of money and fear of financial ruin. In the U.S., the situation more often is that of family demanding even nonbeneficial treatments for their loved one whether or not they can pay for it. In either case, physicians can feel stuck and patients and/or their families may be, also. In either case, economic disparity is a significant dimension of ethical dilemma.

Anyway, it was interesting conversation. And our hosts have been exceptionally gracious and generous with their time and resources. It is quite humbling. I am grateful to them, and to all who have made possible this teaching-learning opportunity with them.