Philosophical Anthropology for Healthcare Professionals: Humanism in Medical Action Podcast By Juan R Fabregat cover art

Philosophical Anthropology for Healthcare Professionals: Humanism in Medical Action

Philosophical Anthropology for Healthcare Professionals: Humanism in Medical Action

By: Juan R Fabregat
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1. The Crisis of Dehumanization in Modern Medicine

  • Definition of Dehumanization: It is the process where patients are "treated as less than fully human—perceived not as persons but as diagnostic puzzles, biological systems, or administrative burdens." It involves the "denial of mental states, emotional depth, moral worth, or spiritual dignity," leading to reduced empathy and ethical sensitivity among caregivers.
  • Manifestations:Clinical Examples: A terminally ill patient discussed only by morphine dosage; a homeless man labeled a "frequent flyer"; a woman in labor treated as "a section at 6 a.m."
  • Implicit vs. Explicit: Can be explicit (e.g., verbal neglect) or implicit, "embedded in institutional routines and clinical language (e.g., ‘the gallbladder in room 3’)."
  • Systemic Roots: Often arises from "systemic pressures and anthropological deficits," not necessarily malice.
  • Consequences: "Erodes patient trust, increases clinician burnout, and correlates with diminished quality of care." It is a "philosophical and moral issue," not just a matter of bedside manner.
Episodes
  • Chapter 9: Research and the Human Person
    Jul 4 2025

    This briefing document summarizes key themes and critical insights from "Research and the Human Person" by Juan Ramon Fabregat, focusing on the ethical framework for biomedical research, particularly from a Catholic philosophical and theological perspective. The central argument is that all scientific research, especially biomedical, must be rooted in a profound understanding and unwavering respect for the dignity of the human person. Detached from this anthropological and ethical foundation, science risks becoming distorted, serving utilitarian ends, commercial interests, or abstract notions of "progress" at the expense of individual integrity and worth. The human person is presented as both the origin and the goal of research, demanding that ethical considerations precede and guide scientific inquiry, rather than merely follow it.

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    11 mins
  • Chapter 8: Professional Secrecy and Confidentiality
    Jul 4 2025

    This briefing document summarizes key themes from Dr. Juan Ramon Fabregat's "Professional Secrecy: A Moral Covenant in Healthcare." The document emphasizes that professional secrecy in healthcare is not merely a legal or ethical requirement, but a profound moral covenant rooted in respect for human dignity and the sacred trust between healthcare professionals and patients. It explores the historical, philosophical, and theological underpinnings of this duty, highlighting its importance in fostering healing and upholding justice, particularly in the face of modern digital challenges. The core argument is that upholding confidentiality is an active form of "reverent silence" that protects the patient's "interiority" and serves as a foundational virtue of the medical vocation.

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    12 mins
  • Chapter 6: The Person in Society: Ethics Beyond the Individual
    Jul 4 2025

    This briefing document summarizes key themes from "Ethics Beyond the Individual: Personhood and Social Justice in Medicine," focusing on its critique of liberal individualism in bioethics and its proposal for a more relational, socially conscious approach rooted in Christian personalism and Catholic social teaching. The document argues that medicine is inherently social, demanding a shift from an overemphasis on individual autonomy to a balanced understanding of the human person as a "being-in-community," responsible for solidarity, justice, and the common good. Key areas of application include triage, vaccination, and health equity, all framed within the imperative to uphold intrinsic human dignity and promote the common good.

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    14 mins
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