Table 1

Overview of themes and subthemes that emerged from the structural analysis of interviews with the surgeons about ethical dilemmas.

Themes

Subthemes

Treatment

Starting or withholding treatment

Continuing or withdrawing treatment

Overtreatment

Respecting the patients

Meeting patients expectations

Resolving differences in opinions

Superior colleagues

Colleagues from other departments

Incompetent colleagues

Society

Local limited resources

Laws and regulations

Global limited resources

Torjuul et al. BMC Medical Ethics 2005 6:7   doi:10.1186/1472-6939-6-7