Methods and approaches in producing bioethics articles, from 2001-2008, in Revista Bioética do CFM (CFM - Bioethics Magazine) published by the Federal Council of Medicine – CFM, in Brazil

Abstract

A total of 149 articles in Revista Bioética do CFM (CFM Bioethics Magazine) published from 2001 to 2008, were analyzed in three variables: method, approach, and a key word most adjusted to the subject and present in the title also. The results showed that 127 (85.2%) articles used conceptual methods, and 22 (14.8%) experimental ones. From the latter, 8 were quantitative (36.4%), and 14 (63.6%) qualitative. The interdisciplinary approach was the most frequent (25.5%), followed by Medicine (24.8%). Two simultaneous approaches, such as Medicine and Philosophy (14.8%), and Medicine and Law (10.1%) were more frequent than isolated subject approaches such as Philosophy (3.3%) and Law (2.0%). Key words distributed in ten categories, while Ethics/Bioethics (18.1%), IRB/Research Ethics (14.1%), and Social issue (14.1%) the most frequent ones. In regards to method type, outcomes are comparable to those observed in international research. The approaches and keywords show considerable attention to bioethical issues in Brazil. The conclusion i s that dissemination of knowledge by Revista Bioética - CFM (CFM – Bioethics Magazine) highlights
interdisciplinary method, and it is aware of Brazilian bioethical issues.