Ethical implications in the allocation of scarce medical resources in Poland

The health care system in Poland is undergoing major change and it is possi ble that these changes could affect clinical research. Therefore, the situa tion of funding of health care is important for the future of medical resea rch in this country. Some questions relevant in this field will be addresse d. Since funds for health care and scientific research remain inadequate, t heir allocation raises moral, economic, legal and organisational dilemmas. The clinical aspects of resource allocation also include physicians' respon sibilities towards their patients. Scientific research, clinical medicine, and clinical research have a common denominator. they rely on trust. The ph ysician should be a fiduciary of the patient as well as being a researcher for the benefit of the patient and for society. Some physicians and researc hers, despite unethical conduct, escape disclosure and punishment, but deci sion-makers who wrongly allocate funds for health care and research are nev er held accountable for their actions.