Abstract

This work aims at disentangling the main challenges posed by the conduct of ethnographic research in bioethics on both a methodological and an ethical background. Although these challenges can be framed into the wider relations between bioethics and sociology, they talk to the need of integrating empirical research methods into bioethics. Indeed, bioethics is no longer satisfied with importing empirical findings produced in other disciplines. Rather, it seeks to promote research driven by the questions and perspectives that most interest scholars who belong to this community. This knowledge base can be fundamental to reorienting professional practices and innovating health care organization patterns that affect the protection of rights and respect for patients’ preferences, needs, values and expectations.