[Ethical issues of diagnostic tests in neurology]

Abstract

The presence of ethical issues in the diagnostic testing process is a common experience in Neurology. Pacient Ls consent has often some difficulties because of the limited capacity of neurological patients due to cognitive impairment, neurological deficits or emotional disturbances. An explicit assessment of capacity should be performed, including the analysis of patient Ls ability to make complex decisions and its operational components. The consent must also include other ethical and legal considerations. When neurologists make the election of diagnostic tests, they have two obligations: being beneficent with their patients and using health resources properly because of distributive justice. Diagnostic necessities and knowledge of efficiency of tests must be defined in order to make beneficent and just diagnostic decisions.