Prof. João Macedo | Bioethics | Breakthrough Research Award

Professor at University of Minho – Nursing School, Portugal

Dr. João Carlos Gama Martins de Macedo is a distinguished Portuguese scholar, clinician, and educator in the field of Nursing and Bioethics. With a rich academic background spanning over three decades, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minho and is an active Researcher at the Bioethics Center, University of Porto. Dr. Macedo holds a PhD in Bioethics, specializing in Advance Directives and prospective autonomy. He is the author of two influential books and over 20 peer-reviewed publications. He has consistently demonstrated academic leadership through curriculum design, ethical advisory roles, and the integration of palliative and end-of-life care into education. His research blends clinical empathy with philosophical inquiry, advancing health education and ethical care practices. Fluent in Spanish and with reading proficiency in English and French, he continues to foster interprofessional collaboration, student mentorship, and community engagement in bioethical decision-making and nursing education.

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Education

Dr. Macedo’s educational journey reflects a lifelong commitment to healthcare, education, and ethics. He completed his PhD in Bioethics in 2024 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, defending a thesis on prospective autonomy and advance directives. Prior to that, he earned the title of Specialist in Nursing from the University of Minho (2014), and a Master’s in Health Education with a focus on death education from the same university (2004). He also completed Postgraduate degrees in Bioethics and Philosophy at the Portuguese Catholic University (1998–2002). His foundational training includes a Bachelor’s in Community Nursing (1997) and a Bachelorate in Nursing (1993). These academic milestones have shaped his expertise in end-of-life care, bioethics, and health communication, setting a multidisciplinary foundation for his teaching and research across nursing and medical ethics.

Work Experience

Dr. Macedo has had a rich and impactful career, blending teaching, clinical work, and institutional leadership. Since 2003, he has been an Adjunct Professor at the School of Nursing, University of Minho, where he also held several leadership roles including Course Director and Curriculum Committee Member. He has been deeply involved in institutional governance as a member of the School Council, Pedagogical Council, and Scientific Council. Prior to academia, he served as a nurse at Hospital de Braga (1993–1999) and held academic positions at the Calouste Gulbenkian School of Nursing. He has mentored students, led curricular innovations in palliative and bioethical education, and directed specialized nursing programs. Currently, he is also a Researcher at the Bioethics Center of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, contributing to interdisciplinary inquiries and public health ethics in Portugal.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Macedo has received several accolades for his academic and professional contributions. Most recently, in 2025, he was awarded a Honorable Mention for his project “Consulta de Aconselhamento para o Testamento Vital” by the Fundação para a Saúde. In 2019, he co-authored the Best Oral Communication on childbirth autonomy. His early work also earned top distinctions: Best Scientific Poster for “A Morte na Voz das Crianças” (2009) and Best Free Communication at the SPESM Forum. Notably, in 2002, he won First Honorable Mention for an ethical poster on CPR and was also awarded Best Communication at the Urgency Nursing Forum. These honors underscore his sustained impact in palliative care, death education, and ethical nursing practices, as well as his commitment to advancing compassionate care through ethical discourse and professional development.

Research Focus

Dr. Macedo’s research centers on Bioethics, Palliative Care, Health Education, and Advance Directives. His doctoral work explored prospective autonomy within the Portuguese context, examining ethical and legal frameworks surrounding patient choices in end-of-life care. He advocates for death education as a public health tool, aiming to demystify dying through curricula and community awareness. With over 21 articles and two authored books, his scholarship covers ethical decision-making in clinical practice, autonomy, and the moral dimensions of healthcare. He contributes to medical humanities, integrating philosophy, nursing, and social science to foster ethically sensitive care. His current research at the Bioethics Center of the University of Porto involves multidisciplinary collaboration on patient rights, informed consent, and advanced care planning. His academic and clinical inquiries consistently highlight the importance of preparing professionals and communities to navigate healthcare decisions with empathy, dignity, and ethical clarity.

🛠️ Skills

Dr. Macedo possesses a diverse skill set spanning academic instruction, bioethical analysis, clinical care, and health education design. As an experienced professor, he excels in curriculum development, especially in palliative care, ethics, and communication. He is a skilled speaker and facilitator in academic forums and has a deep understanding of ethical decision-making models. His language proficiency includes advanced Spanish reading and speaking, advanced English reading, and comprehension of French, enhancing his capacity to participate in international collaboration. Dr. Macedo’s experience also includes committee leadership, scientific writing, and interdisciplinary research coordination. His strengths lie in teaching critical thinking, promoting reflective practice, and advancing death literacy. He is also adept at mentoring students and advising nursing professionals on issues related to autonomy, patient advocacy, and end-of-life planning, making him an essential contributor to ethical nursing and public health discourse.

Conclusion

Dr. João Carlos Gama Martins Macedo is a highly suitable candidate for the Breakthrough Research Award. His work represents an intersection of ethics, education, and healthcare practice—especially in a field often underrepresented in technological research awards. His commitment to shaping end-of-life care, ethical decision-making, and autonomy in clinical settings has both deep academic value and tangible societal benefits. With continued publication in international forums and enhanced research indexing, Dr. Macedo is poised to leave a lasting legacy in bioethics and health policy research.

Publications to Noted

Title: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: a necessidade de uma educação para a morte
Author: J.C.G.M. de Macedo
Citations: 28
Year: 2004

Title: Bullying escolar e avaliação de um programa de intervenção
Authors: E. Macedo, M.F.S. Martins, J. Cainé, J.C.G.M. Macedo, R.M.F. Novais
Citations: 26
Year: 2014

Title: Competências centrais em cuidados paliativos: um guia orientador da EAPC sobre educação em cuidados paliativos: parte 1
Authors: P. Encarnação, E. Macedo, J.C.G.M. Macedo, C. Simães, J.F. Arcuri, …
Citations: 21
Year: 2013

Title: Educar para a morte: uma abordagem a partir de Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Author: J. Macedo
Citations: 16
Year: 2011

Title: Climate change: a bioethical emergency and health priority
Author: J.C. Macedo
Citations: 14
Year: 2023

Title: An approach to death education
Author: J.C. Macedo
Citations: 14
Year: 2019

Title: Educar para a morte e a promoção da saúde mental
Authors: E. Macedo, J.C.G.M. Macedo, M. Gomes, P. Encarnação
Citations: 13
Year: 2010

Title: Contribution to improve advance directives in Portugal
Author: J.C. Macedo
Citations: 12
Year: 2020

Title: Perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge toward advance directives: a scoping review
Authors: J.C. Macedo, F. Rego, R. Nunes
Citations: 11
Year: 2023

Title: El plan de parto como mecanismo de protección del derecho a la autodeterminación de la mujer en contexto obstétrico en Portugal
Authors: J.C. Macedo, I. António, E. Macedo, M.F. Lopes
Citations: 10
Year: 2023

João Macedo | Bioethics | Breakthrough Research Award