Death

considerations for the medical practice

Abstract

Death is part of life and, as well, objective of medicine. The definition of death is being modified due to the technologic advances and the availability of information, pointing that its definition should consider cultural values of a specific society besides the medical knowledge.The search of a better definition of death brought innumerous conflicts of medical ethics, worsened in part by the credibility crisis that the modern medicine experiences. The recall of medical values, based on the medical –patient relationship, as well as an ample discussion including the society as a hole about the definition of death and the care that the medicine should provide, should be implemented. The discussion of these values should start in the medical faculties and include every auxiliary profession.