Ethical issues have been raised in the fields of dialysis and kidney transplantation since these treatment options were developed over 50 years ago. End-of-life issues, a shortage of transplantable organs, federal regulations, and emotionally charged situations in the context of chronic illness all contribute to ethical dilemmas. We will explore some of the historical and current dilemmas and apply ethical principles to working through some challenging patient situations.

Learning Objectives

1. Define and Describe the basic Ethical Principles utilized in healthcare settings.
2. Discuss historical and current ethical challenges in Nephrology and Transplantation.
3. Discuss challenging cases within a framework of ethical decision-making.