Patient prioritization in medical emergencies: an ethical analysis *

SummaryObjectiveTo identify and analyze, in the light of ethical considerations, the choices and justifications of public health professionals in hypothetical situations of patient prioritization in circumstances of limited resources during emergency medical care.MethodsQualitative and quantitative study carried out through interviews with 80 public health professionals, graduate students (MSc and PhD students) in public health who were faced with hypothetical situations involving the criteria of gender, age and responsibility, asked to choose between alternatives that referred to the existence of people, equally submitted to life-threatening situations, who needed care in an emergency department.ResultsThe choices prioritized children, young individuals, women and married women, with decision-making invoking the ethical principles of vulnerability, social utility and equity.ConclusionThe study shows a clear tendency to justify the choices that were made guided by utilitarian ethics.