The Physician in the Face of Death: Reflections on the Books of Henry Marsh

Abstract

This study is devoted to the analysis of ethical and philosophical issues raised in the works of the British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh. The main attention is focused on the limits of medical intervention, the human right to a dignified death, the responsibility of the doctor and the moral dilemmas of modern neurosurgery. Using the materials of the books “Do No Harm” and “Stories of Life, Death and Neurosurgery”, the complexity of clinical decision-making in cases of severe brain damage, when treatment can only continue biological existence without the prospect of restoring consciousness or independent life, is considered. Special attention is paid to the principles of informed consent, the professional integrity of the doctor and the psychological stress associated with a constant confrontation with death. Henry Marsh's vision of humanistic medicine as one that should not only prolong life, but also alleviate suffering and preserve human dignity, is revealed. The relevance of the study is due to the challenges that the Ukrainian healthcare system faced in the conditions of war and the future post-war recovery, primarily the increase in the number of patients with severe traumatic brain injuries and neurological damage. The article also highlights Henry Marsh's cooperation with Ukrainian doctors and his views on the prospects for the development of Ukrainian medicine. It is concluded that his ethical reflections are an important basis for the formation of a humanistic model of medical ethics in Ukraine, based on the principles of palliative care, respect for the dignity of the patient and the moral responsibility of the doctor.