Clinical Ethics at PAH ED Research Committee Meeting, Thursday 24 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Clinical Ethics at PAH

ED Research Committee Meeting, Thursday 24 January 2013

Who am I?

PAH Clinical Ethics Service

• A/Clinical Ethics Coordinator— Jennifer (Jenny) Jones, PhD, BA.
• Jennifer_Jones2@health.qld.gov.au
• 3176 7335 or 0417 435 606
• http://paweb.sth.health.qld.gov.au/ethics/default.asp

Bioethics, Clinical Ethics, Research Ethics

• Bioethics – concerns ethical and moral issues

associated with medical research and practice

• Clinical ethics – concerns ‘the consideration of

ethical issues arising directly in the context of patient care’ (Kerridge, Lowe and Stewart, 2009: 104).

• Research ethics – aims ‘at ensuring the

protection of participants in research’ (Kerridge, Lowe

and Stewart, 2009: 104)

What is ethics?

• Ethics is often perceived in terms of a Code of

Ethics or set of moral principles guiding right action in relation to “what one ought to do?”

• Often associated with the “big” dilemmas in life
• Often spoken of in terms of “means” and

“ends”

Ethics is not!

• It is NOT a formula that sits on the sidelines

waiting for those big dilemmas to enter our lives

• Nor is it merely a NEAF which we “tick and

flick” to the HREC for Ethics approval!

So, what is ethics?

• Ethics is an ongoing process which ultimately concerns how we live
• ur lives

“We are discussing no small matter, but how we ought to live….” Socrates in Plato’s Republic

• And how we live our lives ultimately concerns considerations of

‘“how ought we respond?” where the “we” is inclusive of all significant stakeholders, and the proposed outcome might evoke or demand a complex range of practical responses” (Isaacs & Massey, 1994: 2)

• And how we respond ultimately concerns the ways we use our

power…for instance, over others, against others, for others or with

• thers, (Rollo May, 1972)

WHERE IS ‘ETHICS’ FOUND?

In the worlds we live in In our relationships with

• thers

In people In the dilemmas we encounter in living our lives In policies and procedures In the decisions we and others make In law and justice issues

How are our ethics formed and informed or how have we learned socially accepted and expected ways of being and responding ethically?

• Culture
• History
• Language
• Politics
• Lived experiences
• Professional norms
• The moral values embedded in these aspects of our lives

shape and guide our individual ethical values. We project

• urselves forward in our lives according to these values and

we inject these values into our daily interactions with others.

Does “being ethical” matter?

YES!

”being ethical” matters because it concerns human flourishing and human wellbeing!!

Why does “being ethical” matter?

• Human beings are vulnerable beings
• Human relationships are fragile
• Human life is fragile
• Our shared vulnerability makes “being ethical”

INESCAPABLE!

Navigating our vulnerability

Navigating our way through our worlds sometimes feels like walking a tightrope!

Being ethical matters because – it concerns how we respond to our own, and others’, vulnerability

So, what does it mean to be ethical?

• “being ethical” involves being aware of where you

stand and what you stand for in the moral topography

• f your life (Charles Taylor, 1989).
• To be ethical is to be aware of your values and how

these values guide and, at times, challenge your ability to communicate and work effectively with others, both your patients and your colleagues.

• Being ethical ultimately concerns being aware of how

you use your power to enable (empower) yourself and

• thers or dis-able (dis-empower) yourself and others!

Ethics in an organisational context

• What would make an organisation and the

people in it “ethical”?

• And, how has PAH responded?

Clinical Ethics in Metro South Capacity—support—environment

capacity—support—environment

Clinical Ethics at PAH

Clinical Ethics Service Clinical Ethics Committee Clinical Ethics Coordinator

The role of the Clinical Ethics Committee

‘educational and advisory in purpose. Generally, the function of the ethics committee should be to consider and assist in resolving unusual, complicated ethical problems involving issues that affect the care and treatment of patients within the health care institution. Recommendations of the ethics committee should impose no obligation for acceptance on the part of the institution, its governing board, medical staff, attending physicians, or other persons. However, it should be expected that the recommendations of a dedicated ethics committee will receive serious consideration by decision makers’

(Kerridge et al., 2009: 106 citing American Medical Association, 2002)

Princess Alexandra Clinical Ethics Service

Acting Clinical Ethics Coordinator Dr Jennifer (Jenny) Jones

EVERYDAY ETHICS 3176 7335 or Jennifer_Jones2@health.qld.gov.au

http://paweb.sth.health.qld.gov.au/ethics/default.asp

1. ETHICS EDUCATION and RESEARCH

(capacity building)

• 2. ETHICS

CONSULTATION

• CLINICAL/ ACUTE
• INDIVIDUAL STAFF

(practical support)

• 3. POLICY REVIEW AND

SUPPORT (guide appropriate

• rganisational

environment)

PAH Clinical Council Metro South Clinical Ethics Committee

(Chair - A/Prof Frank Varghese)

Metro South Hospital and Health Values

Caring for People, Leadership, Respect, Integrity,

Clinical Ethics in PAH

Policy Review

(guiding an appropriate

• rganisational

environment)

Ethics Consultations & Support

(practical support)

Ethics Seminars, Cafés & Research

(capacity building)

PA’s Clinical Ethics Service

Who can use the service?

• Any staff member – medical, nursing or allied health

professional How do you refer a case? Or make a suggestion for an Education Seminar or Café? Or to arrange an “ethics” workshop?

• Telephone: 3176 7335 or 0417 435 606
• Email: Jennifer_Jones2@health.qld.gov.au

PA’s Clinical Ethics Service

Any questions? Thank you!

Metro South Clinical Ethics Service invites all Health Practitioners and interested persons to

“Talk about dying in the 21st century”

with special guest Dr Peter Saul, Intensivist, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW

Please join us at this lunchtime discussion forum aimed at raising awareness of the ethical sensitivities associated with the process of dying. When: Thursday February 21st, 12noon -1.30pm

BYO Lunch from 11.30am, (Tea and Coffee available)

Where: Russell Strong Auditorium, PAH. Inquiries to: Dr Jenny Jones Jennifer_Jones2@health.qld.gov.au (0417 435 606) RSVP : Elaine_Wright@health.qld.gov.au Videoconferencing available: Bookings close – 15th February