Instytucjonalna i społeczna alokacja ograniczonych środków medycznych

Abstract

The paper takes up the problem of the macro- and micro-allocation of scarce medical resources in the frames of the health care system in Poland. Some types of medical treatment in public health care system are analysed and presented in the form of the algorithms of: • contracted medical services • heroic-aggressive therapy • futile treatment • utilitarian • care limited by justice Social choices concerning allocation of medical resources are presented in the form the three case studies: 1) an elderly patient and a choice of treatment 2) a patient suffering from pancreas cancer; 3) the guidelines of the Congregation for Doctrine of Faith as to terminal care. The analyses lead to the following conclusions: the most important thing is to satisfy the needs of security on the level of the access to the basic health care services; there are legal and moral premises of just health care; the health condition of the society can be improved by an adequate allocation of medical resources on macro and micro-levels; the management of medical resources should take into account economic rules, but health care professionals should follow the principles of medical ethics.