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Kröger C, Molewijk B, Muntinga M, Metselaar S. The Diversity Compass: a clinical ethics support instrument for dialogues on diversity in healthcare organizations. BMC Med Ethics 2024; 25:4. [PMID: 38172942 PMCID: PMC10765795 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00992-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing social pluralism adds to the already existing variety of heterogeneous moral perspectives on good care, health, and quality of life. Pluralism in social identities is also connected to health and care disparities for minoritized patient (i.e. care receiver) populations, and to specific diversity-related moral challenges of healthcare professionals and organizations that aim to deliver diversity-responsive care in an inclusive work environment. Clinical ethics support (CES) services and instruments may help with adequately responding to these diversity-related moral challenges. However, although various CES instruments exist to support healthcare professionals with dealing well with morally challenging situations in healthcare, current tools do not address challenges specifically related to moral pluralism and intersectional aspects of diversity and social justice issues. This article describes the content and developmental process of a novel CES instrument called the Diversity Compass. This instrument was designed with and for healthcare professionals to dialogically address and reflect on moral challenges related to intersectional aspects of diversity and social justice issues that they experience in daily practice. METHODS We used a participatory development design to develop the Diversity Compass at a large long-term care organization in a major city in the Netherlands. Over a period of thirteen months, we conducted seven focus groups with healthcare professionals and peer-experts, carried out five expert interviews, and facilitated four meetings with a community of practice consisting of various healthcare professionals who developed and tested preliminary versions of the instrument throughout three cycles of iterative co-creation. RESULTS The Diversity Compass is a practical, dialogical CES instrument that is designed as a small booklet and includes an eight-step deliberation method, as well as a guideline with seven recommendations to support professionals with engaging in dialogue when they are confronted with diversity-related moral challenges. The seven recommendations are key components in working toward creating an inclusive and safe space for dialogue to occur. CONCLUSIONS The Diversity Compass seeks to support healthcare professionals and organizations in their efforts to facilitate awareness, moral learning and joint reflection on moral challenges related to diversity and social justice issues. It is the first dialogical CES instrument that specifically acknowledges the role of social location in shaping moral perspectives or experiences with systemic injustices. However, to make healthcare more just, an instrument like the Diversity Compass is not enough on its own. In addition to the Diversity Compass, a systemic and structural approach to social justice issues in healthcare organizations is needed in order to foster a more inclusive, safe and diversity-responsive care and work environment in health care organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Kröger
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Defense Academy, Breda, The Netherlands.
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maaike Muntinga
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van Schaik M, Kröger C, Zuidema L, Stolper M, Widdershoven G, Pasman HR, Metselaar S. Training nurses to facilitate and implement CURA in palliative care institutions: development and evaluation of a blended learning program. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:158. [PMID: 37865740 PMCID: PMC10590004 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare professionals in palliative care are found to be confronted with moral challenges on a frequent basis. CURA is a low-threshold instrument for dialogical ethical reflection that was developed to deal with these challenges. A previous study identified the need of healthcare professionals to be trained to introduce CURA in their organization, initiate and facilitate reflections with CURA, and contribute to the implementation of CURA. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a training for professionals to become 'CURA-ambassadors'. METHODS The training was developed in a participatory way in two cycles. We trained 72 healthcare professionals. The training was evaluated by means of a questionnaire and six semi-structured interviews. RESULTS The study resulted in a blended learning training combining training sessions with an e-module and with practicing with organizing and facilitating CURA in daily healthcare practice. The main objectives of the training are to enable CURA-ambassadors to introduce CURA within their organization, initiate and facilitate ethical reflections using CURA, and contribute to the implementation of CURA. Participants were generally positive about the training program and the trainers. Technical difficulties related to the e-module were mentioned as main point of improvement. DISCUSSION The training program can generate ownership, responsibility, and competency among CURA-ambassadors, which are essential foundations for implementing complex interventions in healthcare practice. The training program received positive evaluations shortly after completing the program. This study adds to our understanding of what is needed for healthcare professionals to use CURA, in order to support them in dealing with moral challenges and to foster their moral resilience. Further research is needed to assess whether participants experience the training as sufficient and effective when using and implementing CURA structurally in their organizations over a longer period of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene van Schaik
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Charlotte Kröger
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Zuidema
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet Stolper
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Roeline Pasman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kröger C, Molewijk AC, Metselaar S. Developing Organizational Diversity Statements Through Dialogical Clinical Ethics Support: The Role of the Clinical Ethicist. J Bioeth Inq 2023; 20:379-395. [PMID: 37233964 PMCID: PMC10624755 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-023-10258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In pluralist societies, stakeholders in healthcare may have different experiences of and moral perspectives on health, well-being, and good care. Increasing cultural, religious, sexual, and gender diversity among both patients and healthcare professionals requires healthcare organizations to address these differences. Addressing diversity, however, comes with inherent moral challenges; for example, regarding how to deal with healthcare disparities between minoritized and majoritized patients or how to accommodate different healthcare needs and values. Diversity statements are an important strategy for healthcare organizations to define their normative ideas with respect to diversity and to establish a point of departure for concrete diversity approaches. We argue that healthcare organizations ought to develop diversity statements in a participatory and inclusive way in order to promote social justice. Furthermore, we maintain that clinical ethicists can support healthcare organizations in developing diversity statements in a more participatory way by fostering reflective dialogues through clinical ethics support. We will use a case example from our own practice to explore what such a developmental process may look like. We will critically reflect on the procedural strengths and challenges as well as on the role of the clinical ethicist in this example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Kröger
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Faculty of Military Sciences, Netherlands Defence Academy, Breda, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert C Molewijk
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Gerritse K, Martens C, Bremmer MA, Kreukels BPC, de Vries ALC, Molewijk BC. GenderJourney: Participatory development of an ethics support tool to foster dialogue and reflection on shared decision-making in gender-affirming medical care. Patient Educ Couns 2023; 114:107854. [PMID: 37356115 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe and reflect on the development process of GenderJourney: an ethics support tool that seeks to foster (dialogue and reflection on) shared decision-making (SDM) in gender-affirming medical care (GAMC). METHODS Part of a larger project, this study used a participatory design. We included transgender and gender diverse (TGD) clients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) throughout the study in co-creation workshops. In an iterative process, we (1) established stakeholders' needs, (2) reached a consensus on the aims, content, and design, (3) developed and tested successive renditions, and (4) presented the final version of the tool. RESULTS The final tool aims to (A) elucidate the client's care request and corresponding treatment preferences, (B) foster an explicit dialogue between TGD client and HCP about expected/preferred decisional roles and collaboration, (C) stimulate a systematic joint reflection on and handling of SDM-related ethical challenges. CONCLUSION The GenderJourney provides non-directive ethics support to jointly reflect on and foster good SDM, including its inherent ethical challenges. Future studies should focus on its implementation and actual contribution to good SDM. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS GenderJourney may be used in GAMC to support the dialogue on what good SDM entails and the identification, discussion, and handling of SDM-related ethical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Gerritse
- Ethics, Law, and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Casper Martens
- Ethics, Law, and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Marijke A Bremmer
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Baudewijntje P C Kreukels
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Annelou L C de Vries
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Bert C Molewijk
- Ethics, Law, and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Molewijk B, Pedersen R, Kok A, Førde R, Aasland O. Two years of ethics reflection groups about coercion in psychiatry. Measuring variation within employees' normative attitudes, user involvement and the handling of disagreement. BMC Med Ethics 2023; 24:29. [PMID: 37173770 PMCID: PMC10182617 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-023-00909-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on the impact of ethics reflection groups (ERG) (also called moral case deliberations (MCD)) is complex and scarce. Within a larger study, two years of ERG sessions have been used as an intervention to stimulate ethical reflection about the use of coercive measures. We studied changes in: employees' attitudes regarding the use of coercion, team competence, user involvement, team cooperation and the handling of disagreement in teams. METHODS We used panel data in a longitudinal design study to measure variation in survey scores from multidisciplinary employees from seven departments within three Norwegian mental health care institutions at three time points (T0-T1-T2). Mixed models were used to account for dependence of data in persons who participated more than once. RESULTS In total, 1068 surveys (from 817 employees who did and did not participate in ERG) were included in the analyses. Of these, 7.6% (N = 62) responded at three points in time, 15.5% (N = 127) at two points, and 76.8% (N = 628) once. On average, over time, respondents who participated in ERG viewed coercion more strongly as offending (p < 0.05). Those who presented a case in the ERG sessions showed lower scores on User Involvement (p < 0.001), Team Cooperation (p < 0.01) and Constructive Disagreement (p < 0.01). We observed significant differences in outcomes between individuals from different departments, as well as between different professions. Initial significant changes due to frequency of participation in ERG and case presentation in ERG did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for Departments and Professions. Differences were generally small in absolute terms, possibly due to the low amount of longitudinal data. CONCLUSIONS This study measured specific intervention-related outcome parameters for describing the impact of clinical ethics support (CES). Structural implementation of ERGs or MCDs seems to contribute to employees reporting a more critical attitude towards coercion. Ethics support is a complex intervention and studying changes over time is complex in itself. Several recommendations for strengthening the outcomes of future CES evaluation studies are discussed. CES evaluation studies are important, since-despite the intrinsic value of participating in ERG or MCD-CES inherently aims, and should aim, at improving clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Molewijk
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Reidar Pedersen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Almar Kok
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science and Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reidun Førde
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olaf Aasland
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Aleksandrova-Yankulovska S. Bulgaria at the onset of clinical ethics consultation. New Bioeth 2022; 40:6-27. [PMID: 35705838 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-022-00158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the years, Bulgarian bioethics has been mainly an academic enterprise and fallen short of providing health professionals with skills for ethical decision-making. Clinical ethics support (CES) was piloted by the author through two bottom-up models - METAP (Modular, Ethical, Treatment, Allocation of resources, Process) and MCD (Moral Case Deliberation). AIMS This paper aims to present and analyse developments in the area of clinical ethics and the first experiences in CES in Bulgaria. METHODOLOGY The project reported here included a review of relevant literature on CES methods and evaluation and a documentary review of data from two CES pilot projects: METAP and MCD. RESULTS Most of the 69 METAP ethics meetings reviewed were first time meetings (88,4%); the average duration was 36 min and the average number of participants was four (44,9%). The meetings were organized in response to cases of severely or critically ill patients. The ethical dilemmas included choice of treatment (31,9%) and conflicts with the patient or their relatives (23,2%). Consensus was achieved in 34,8% of the cases. The situation was clarified with the patient (27,5%) and within the team (15,9%). The rights and obligations of both sides were discussed in 7,2% of the cases. The experience of the members of the Bulgarian Association of Bioethics and Clinical Ethics (BABCE) with MCD was also presented to justify the inference about the applicability of the two CES models in a Bulgarian context. CONCLUSION Among Eastern European countries Bulgaria has made progress in CES. Both METAP and MCD have been found to be useful methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silviya Aleksandrova-Yankulovska
- Department of Healthcare management, medical ethics and information technologies, Medical University-Pleven, 1, Kliment Ohridski street, 5800, Pleven, Bulgaria.
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de Snoo-Trimp J, de Vries A, Molewijk B, Hein I. How to deal with moral challenges around the decision-making competence in transgender adolescent care? Development of an ethics support tool. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:96. [PMID: 36138384 PMCID: PMC9494804 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00837-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Decision-making competence is a complex concept in the care for transgender and gender diverse adolescents, since this type of care concerns one’s developing gender identity and involves treatment options that often lack international consensus. Even despite competence assessments, moral challenges arise in the decision-making process. Here, traditional forms of clinical ethics support such as moral case deliberation might not fit as these do not provide thematic guidance. This study therefore aimed to develop a practice-oriented ethics support tool to assist care providers when dealing with moral challenges around decision-making competence in transgender adolescent care. Methods The study followed a participatory design to develop a tool in close collaboration with care providers; they had a say in all phases of development and dissemination. Firstly, nine care providers were interviewed about experienced moral challenges and needs for ethics support. Based on this, the structure and content of the tool was constructed and discussed in two focus group meetings, after which four care providers tested the tool and additional feedback was collected from the team and an advisory board. The final tool was presented to all Dutch care providers in transgender adolescent care. Results Care providers expressed a need for guidance in defining and assessing decision-making competence. Main moral challenges concerned discussing fertility options with young clients, dealing with co-occurring mental health difficulties and the decision-making role of parents. The final tool, named the Competence Consultant, is an interactive pdf containing four parts: (1) Clarify information; (2) Identify doubts and moral questions; (3) Guidance for conversations and (4) Overview and Conclusions. Discussion Developing an ethics support tool in a controversial care setting is highly relevant as it aims to help individual care providers in defining, discussing and dealing with their moral challenges in actual practice. The ‘Competence Consultant’ for transgender care providers contributes to their moral sensitivity and moral competence. It is an example of the development of innovative and integrative forms of thematic ethics support. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-022-00837-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine de Snoo-Trimp
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Annelou de Vries
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center of Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Irma Hein
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam and Levvel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Crico C, Sanchini V, Casali PG, Pravettoni G. Ethical issues in oncology practice: a qualitative study of stakeholders' experiences and expectations. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:67. [PMID: 35773683 PMCID: PMC9248199 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00803-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical Ethics Support Services (CESS) have been established to support healthcare professionals in addressing ethically sensitive issues in clinical practice and, in many countries, they are under development. In the context of growing CESS, exploring how healthcare professionals experience and address clinical ethics issues in their daily practice represents a fundamental step to understand their potential needs. This is even more relevant in the context of extremely sensitive diseases, such as cancer. On this basis, we carried out a qualitative study conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders of a major comprehensive cancer centre in Italy, with the twofold aim of investigating what ethical issues arise in the context of clinical oncology and how they are addressed, as well as stakeholders’ expectations about a potential CESS to be implemented within the Institution. Methods The study was conducted within the theoretical framework of Grounded Theory. Participants were healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders working within the cancer centre. The semi-structured interview aimed at exploring common ethical aspects of oncology, investigating stakeholders’ professional experience in dealing with clinical ethics issues, their expectations and requests regarding ethics support services. Transcripts of the interviews were coded and analysed according to the principles of Grounded Theory. Results Twenty-one stakeholders were interviewed. Our analysis showed a wide consensus on the identification of ethically relevant issues, above all those concerning communication, end-of-life, and resource allocation. The absence of institutional tools or strategies to address and manage ethical issues at the patient bedside emerged, and this is reflected in the widespread request for their development in the future. The ideal support service should be fast and flexible in order to adapt to different needs and clinical cases. Conclusions The interviewees showed a limited degree of ‘ethical awareness’: despite having reported many issues in clinical practice, they could hardly identify and describe the ethical aspects, while complaining about a lack of ethical resources in their management. To build a truly effective support service, it therefore seems appropriate to take such context into consideration and address the emerged needs. Ethical sensitivity seems to be key and it becomes even more relevant in critical clinical areas, such as the therapeutic pathways of terminally ill patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-022-00803-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Crico
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Sanchini
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Paolo G Casali
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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van Schaik MV, Pasman HR, Widdershoven G, Metselaar S. Participatory development of CURA, a clinical ethics support instrument for palliative care. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:32. [PMID: 35321698 PMCID: PMC8942152 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Existing clinical ethics support (CES) instruments are considered useful. However, users report obstacles in using them in daily practice. Including end users and other stakeholders in developing CES instruments might help to overcome these limitations. This study describes the development process of a new ethics support instrument called CURA, a low-threshold four-step instrument focused on nurses and nurse assistants working in palliative care.
Method We used a participatory development design. We worked together with stakeholders in a Community of Practice throughout the study. Potential end users (nurses and nurse assistants in palliative care) used CURA in several pilots and provided us with feedback which we used to improve CURA. Results We distinguished three phases in the development process. Phase one, Identifying Needs, focused on identifying stakeholder and end user needs and preferences, learning from existing CES instruments, their development and evaluation, and identify gaps. Phase two, Development, focused on designing, developing, refining and tailoring the instrument on the basis of iterative co-creation. Phase three, Dissemination, focused on implementation and dissemination. The instrument, CURA, is a four-step low-threshold instrument that fosters ethical reflection. Conclusions Participatory development is a valuable approach for developing clinical ethics support instruments. Collaborating with end users and other stakeholders in our development study has helped to meet the needs and preferences of end users, to come up with strategies to refine the instrument in order to enhance its feasibility, and to overcome reported limitations of existing clinical ethics instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Vera van Schaik
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - H Roeline Pasman
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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van Schaik MV, Pasman HR, Widdershoven G, Molewijk B, Metselaar S. CURA-An Ethics Support Instrument for Nurses in Palliative Care. Feasibility and First Perceived Outcomes. HEC Forum 2021; 35:139-159. [PMID: 34888756 PMCID: PMC10167118 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-021-09456-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Evaluating the feasibility and first perceived outcomes of a newly developed clinical ethics support instrument called CURA. This instrument is tailored to the needs of nurses that provide palliative care and is intended to foster both moral competences and moral resilience. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional evaluation study. Respondents consisted of nurses and nurse assistants (n = 97) following a continuing education program (course participants) and colleagues of these course participants (n = 124). Two questionnaires with five-point Likert scales were used. The feasibility questionnaire was given to all respondents, the perceived outcomes questionnaire only to the course participants. Data collection took place over a period of six months. Respondents were predominantly positive on most items of the feasibility questionnaire. The steps of CURA are clearly described (84% of course participants agreed or strongly agreed, 94% of colleagues) and easy to apply (78-87%). The perceived outcomes showed that CURA helped respondents to reflect on moral challenges (71% (strongly) agreed), in perspective taking (67%), with being aware of moral challenges (63%) and in dealing with moral distress (54%). Respondents did experience organizational barriers: only half of the respondents (strongly) agreed that they could easily find time for using CURA. CURA is a feasible instrument for nurses and nurse assistants providing palliative care. However, reported difficulties in organizing and making time for reflections with CURA indicate organizational preconditions ought to be met in order to implement CURA in daily practice. Furthermore, these results indicate that CURA helps to build moral competences and fosters moral resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Vera van Schaik
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - H Roeline Pasman
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Amsterdam UMC, Location VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Spronk B, Widdershoven G, Alma H. The Role of Worldview in Moral Case Deliberation: Visions and Experiences of Group Facilitators. J Relig Health 2021; 60:3143-3160. [PMID: 33830401 PMCID: PMC8484129 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01246-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the role of worldview in moral case deliberation (MCD). MCD is a form of clinical ethics support which aims to assist caregivers in reflection on moral dilemmas, experienced in daily practice. Bioethicists acknowledge that existential and religious aspects must be taken into account in the analysis of ethical questions, but it remains unclear how these elements are addressed in clinical ethics support. We investigated how facilitators of MCD address worldview in MCD. MCD facilitation is often done by spiritual caregivers, but not in their role as spiritual caregiver. Discussing worldview is no standard part of the procedure in MCD. This study was qualitative, focusing on the views and experiences of the facilitators of MCD. Semi-structured interviews (N = 12) were conducted with facilitators of MCD. Grounded theory was used for analysis. The results show that worldview plays both an explicit and an implicit role in the MCD process. The explicit role concerns the religious beliefs of patients and professionals. This calls for avoiding stereotyping and devoting attention to different visions. The implicit role comes to the fore in addressing core values and spiritual fulfillment. In order to clarify the fundamental nature of values, more explicit attention for worldview might be useful during MCD. However, this should be done with caution as the term 'worldview' might be interpreted by participants in terms of religious and personal beliefs, rather than as an invitation to reflect on one's view of the good life as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita Spronk
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1089 a, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Alma
- Department of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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Abstract
Would primary care services benefit from the aid of a clinical ethics committee (CEC)? The implementation of CECs in primary care in four Norwegian municipalities was supported and their activities followed for 2.5 years. In this study, the CECs’ structure and activities are described, with special emphasis on what characterizes the cases they have discussed. In total, the four CECs discussed 54 cases from primary care services, with the four most common topics being patient autonomy, competence and coercion; professionalism; cooperation and disagreement with next of kin; and priority setting, resource use and quality. Nursing homes and home care were the primary care services most often involved. Next of kin were present in 10 case deliberations, whereas patients were never present. The investigation indicates that it might be feasible for new CECs to attain a high level of activity including case deliberations within the time frame. It also confirms that significant, characteristic and complex moral problems arise in primary care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Magelssen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Heidi Karlsen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lisbeth Thoresen
- Department for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Society , University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Weiner C, Pergert P, Molewijk B, Castor A, Bartholdson C. Perceptions of important outcomes of moral case deliberations: a qualitative study among healthcare professionals in childhood cancer care. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:27. [PMID: 33731101 PMCID: PMC7970765 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00597-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In childhood cancer care, healthcare professionals must deal with several difficult moral situations in clinical practice. Previous studies show that morally difficult challenges are related to decisions on treatment limitations, infringing on the child's integrity and growing autonomy, and interprofessional conflicts. Research also shows that healthcare professionals have expressed a need for clinical ethics support to help them deal with morally difficult situations. Moral case deliberations (MCDs) are one example of ethics support. The aim of this study was to describe the MCD-related outcomes that healthcare professionals in childhood cancer care considered important, before MCDs were implemented, in order to facilitate the implementation of MCDs in childhood cancer care in Sweden.
Methods This study is based on qualitative data. Healthcare professionals, mostly representing registered nurses, nursing assistants and physicians, working at childhood cancer care centres in Sweden, were invited to respond to the translated and content validated European MCD Outcomes Instrument, before participating in regular MCDs. Answers to the main open-ended question, included in the questionnaire, was analysed according to systematic text condensation. Results Data was collected from 161 responses from the healthcare professionals. The responses included healthcare professionals’ perceptions of which MCD-related outcomes they found important for handling moral challenges. Three different themes of important outcomes from the analysis of the data are presented as follows: Interprofessional well-being in team interactions on a team level; Professional comfort when dealing with moral challenges on a personal level; and Improved quality of care for the child and the family on a care level. Conclusions Healthcare professionals in childhood cancer care considered it important that ethics support could enhance the well-being of interprofessional teams, support healthcare professionals on an individual level and improve quality of care. The results of this study can be used in current and future training for MCD-facilitators. When knowing the context specific important MCD-outcomes, the sessions could be adapted. Managers in childhood cancer care would benefit from knowing about the specific important outcomes for their target group because they could then create relevant working conditions for clinical ethics support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Weiner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Paediatric Regional Health Care, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Pergert
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Castor
- Paediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Nephrology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Bartholdson
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Paediatric Neurology and Musculoskeletal Disorders and Homecare, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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14
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Fischer-Grönlund C, Brännström M, Zingmark K. The 'one to five' method - A tool for ethical communication in groups among healthcare professionals. Nurse Educ Pract 2021; 51:102998. [PMID: 33639607 DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2021.102998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare professionals have expressed a wish for facilitated inter-professional communications about ethical difficulties experienced in clinical practice. The introduction of an easily accessible method for facilitating ethical communication in groups may promote its implementation in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this paper was to draw on previous studies and available knowledge in order to develop and describe a method that enables systematic implementation of inter-professional ethical communication in groups. The 'one-to-five method' for facilitated ethical communication in groups is theoretically inspired by Habermas's theory of communicative actions and base on previous studies that accords with the Helsinki Declaration (2013). The 'one to five method' supports guidance of ethical communication in five steps: telling the story about the situation; reflections and dialogue concerning the emotions involved; formulation of the problem/dilemma; analysis of the situation and the dilemma; and searching for a choice of action or approach. It offers an easily accessible method for teaching healthcare professionals how to facilitate ethics communication groups. Educating facilitators closely connected to clinical work may lead to ethical dialogue becoming a natural part of clinical practice for healthcare professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karin Zingmark
- Department of Health Science, Division of Nursing, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden.
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15
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Hartman L, Inguaggiato G, Widdershoven G, Wensing-Kruger A, Molewijk B. Theory and practice of integrative clinical ethics support: a joint experience within gender affirmative care. BMC Med Ethics 2020; 21:79. [PMID: 32847572 PMCID: PMC7448443 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00520-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical ethics support (CES) aims to support health care professionals in dealing with ethical issues in clinical practice. Although the prevalence of CES is increasing, it does meet challenges and pressing questions regarding implementation and organization. In this paper we present a specific way of organizing CES, which we have called integrative CES, and argue that this approach meets some of the challenges regarding implementation and organization. METHODS This integrative approach was developed in an iterative process, combining actual experiences in a case study in which we offered CES to a team that provides transgender health care and reflecting on the theoretical underpinnings of our work stemming from pragmatism, hermeneutics and organizational and educational sciences. RESULTS In this paper we describe five key characteristics of an integrative approach to CES; 1. Positioning CES more within care practices, 2. Involving new perspectives, 3. Creating co-ownership of CES, 4. Paying attention to follow up, and 5. Developing innovative CES activities through an emerging design. CONCLUSIONS In the discussion we compare this approach to the integrated approach to CES developed in the US and the hub and spokes strategy developed in Canada. Furthermore, we reflect on how an integrative approach to CES can help to handle some of the challenges of current CES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hartman
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universitieit Amsterda, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Giulia Inguaggiato
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universitieit Amsterda, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universitieit Amsterda, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelijn Wensing-Kruger
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universitieit Amsterda, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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16
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de Snoo-Trimp JC, Molewijk AC, Svantesson M, Widdershoven GAM, de Vet HCW. Field-Testing the Euro-MCD Instrument: Important Outcomes According to Participants Before and After Moral Case Deliberation. HEC Forum 2020. [PMID: 32770330 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-020-09421-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Ethics support services like Moral Case Deliberation (MCD) intend to support healthcare professionals in ethically difficult situations. To assess outcomes of MCD, the Euro-MCD Instrument has been developed. Field studies to test this instrument are needed and have been conducted, examining important outcomes before MCD participation and experienced outcomes. The current study aimed to (1) describe how participants’ perceive the importance of MCD outcomes after MCD; (2) compare these perceptions with those before MCD participation; and (3) test the factor structure of these outcomes. Swedish, Norwegian and Dutch healthcare professionals rated the importance of outcomes in the Euro-MCD Instrument after four and eight MCDs. Ratings were compared with those before MCD participation using paired and independent samples t-tests. The factor structure was tested using exploratory factor analyses. After 4 and 8 MCDs, 443 respectively 247 respondents completed the instrument. More than 69% rated all MCD outcomes as ‘quite’ or ‘very’ important, especially outcomes from Enhanced Collaboration, Improved Moral Reflexivity and Improved Moral Attitude. Significant differences for 16 outcomes regarding ratings before and after MCD participation were not considered meaningful. Factor analyses suggested three categories, which seemingly resemble the domains Improved Moral Reflexivity, Enhanced Collaboration and a combination of Improved Moral Attitude and Enhanced Emotional Support. After participation in MCDs, respondents confirmed the importance of outcomes in the Euro-MCD Instrument. The question on perceived importance and the categorization of outcomes need reconsideration. The revised instrument will be presented elsewhere, based on all field studies and theoretical reflections.
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17
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Abstract
This paper provides a series of reflections on making the case to senior leaders for the introduction of clinical ethics support services within a UK hospital Trust at a time when clinical ethics committees are dwindling in the UK. The paper provides key considerations for those building a (business) case for clinical ethics support within hospitals by drawing upon published academic literature, and key reports from governmental and professional bodies. We also include extracts from documents relating to, and annual reports of, existing clinical ethics support within UK hospitals, as well as extracts from our own proposal submitted to the Trust Board. We aim for this paper to support other ethicists and/or health care staff contemplating introducing clinical ethics support into hospitals, to facilitate the process of making the case for clinical ethics support, and to contribute to the key debates in the literature around clinical ethics support. We conclude that there is a real need for investment in clinical ethics in the UK in order to build the evidence base required to support the wider introduction of clinical ethics support into UK hospitals. Furthermore, our perceptions of the purpose of, and perceived needs met through, clinical ethics support needs to shift to one of hospitals investing in their staff. Finally, we raise concerns over the optional nature of clinical ethics support available to practitioners within UK hospitals.
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18
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de Snoo-Trimp JC, de Vet HCW, Widdershoven GAM, Molewijk AC, Svantesson M. Moral competence, moral teamwork and moral action - the European Moral Case Deliberation Outcomes (Euro-MCD) Instrument 2.0 and its revision process. BMC Med Ethics 2020; 21:53. [PMID: 32616048 PMCID: PMC7331166 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical Ethics Support (CES) services are offered to support healthcare professionals in dealing with ethically difficult situations. Evaluation of CES is important to understand if it is indeed a supportive service in order to inform and improve future implementation of CES. Yet, methods to measure outcomes of CES are scarce. In 2014, the European Moral Case Deliberation Outcomes Instrument (Euro-MCD) was developed to measure outcomes of Moral Case Deliberation (MCD). To further validate the instrument, we tested it in field studies and revised it. This paper presents the Euro-MCD 2.0 and describes the revision process. Methods The revision process comprised an iterative dialogue among the authors as Euro-MCD-project team, including empirical findings from six Euro-MCD field-studies and input from European experts in CES and theory. Empirical findings contained perceptions and experiences of MCD outcomes among healthcare professionals who participated in MCDs in various settings in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. Theoretical viewpoints on CES, literature on goals of CES and MCD and ethics theory guided the interpretation of the empirical findings and final selection of MCD outcomes. Results The Euro-MCD 2.0 Instrument includes three domains: Moral Competence, Moral Teamwork and Moral Action. Moral Competence consists of items about moral sensitivity, analytical skills and virtuous attitude. Moral Teamwork includes open dialogue and supportive relationships and Moral Action refers to moral decision-making and responsible care. During the revision process, we made decisions about adding and reformulating items as well as decreasing the number from 26 to 15 items. We also altered the sentence structure of items to assess the current status of outcomes (e.g. ‘now’) instead of an assumed improvement over time (e.g. ‘better’) and we omitted the question about perceived importance. Conclusions The Euro-MCD 2.0 is shorter, less complex and more strongly substantiated by an integration of empirical findings, theoretical reflections and dialogues with participants and experts. Use of the Euro-MCD 2.0 will facilitate evaluation of MCD and can thereby monitor and foster implementation and quality of MCD. The Euro-MCD 2.0 will strengthen future research on evaluation of outcomes of MCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C de Snoo-Trimp
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - H C W de Vet
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - G A M Widdershoven
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A C Molewijk
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, De Boelelaan, 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Center for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Svantesson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University Health Care Research Center, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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19
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Van Baarle EM, Potma MC, van Hoek MEC, Hartman LA, Molewijk BAC, van Gurp JLP. Lessons learned from implementing a responsive quality assessment of clinical ethics support. BMC Med Ethics 2019; 20:78. [PMID: 31675970 PMCID: PMC6824048 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-019-0418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various forms of Clinical Ethics Support (CES) have been developed in health care organizations. Over the past years, increasing attention has been paid to the question of how to foster the quality of ethics support. In the Netherlands, a CES quality assessment project based on a responsive evaluation design has been implemented. CES practitioners themselves reflected upon the quality of ethics support within each other's health care organizations. This study presents a qualitative evaluation of this Responsive Quality Assessment (RQA) project. METHODS CES practitioners' experiences with and perspectives on the RQA project were collected by means of ten semi-structured interviews. Both the data collection and the qualitative data analysis followed a stepwise approach, including continuous peer review and careful documentation of the decisions. RESULTS The main findings illustrate the relevance of the RQA with regard to fostering the quality of CES by connecting to context specific issues, such as gaining support from upper management and to solidify CES services within health care organizations. Based on their participation in the RQA, CES practitioners perceived a number of changes regarding CES in Dutch health care organizations after the RQA: acknowledgement of the relevance of CES for the quality of care; CES practices being more formalized; inspiration for developing new CES-related activities and more self-reflection on existing CES practices. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of the RQA shows that this method facilitates an open learning process by actively involving CES practitioners and their concrete practices. Lessons learned include that "servant leadership" and more intensive guidance of RQA participants may help to further enhance both the critical dimension and the learning process within RQA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Van Baarle
- Netherlands Defense Academy, Breda, the Netherlands. .,Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Marieke C Potma
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies (UvH), Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria E C van Hoek
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura A Hartman
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), EMGO+, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bert A C Molewijk
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), EMGO+, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Centre for Medical Ethics at the University of Oslo (UIO), Oslo, Norway
| | - Jelle L P van Gurp
- Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,IQ Healthcare Department, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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20
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Inguaggiato G, Metselaar S, Porz R, Widdershoven G. A pragmatist approach to clinical ethics support: overcoming the perils of ethical pluralism. Med Health Care Philos 2019; 22:427-438. [PMID: 30684092 PMCID: PMC6710214 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-018-09882-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In today's pluralistic society, clinical ethics consultation cannot count on a pre-given set of rules and principles to be applied to a specific situation, because such an approach would deny the existence of different and divergent backgrounds by imposing a dogmatic and transcultural morality. Clinical ethics support (CES) needs to overcome this lack of foundations and conjugate the respect for the difference at stake with the necessity to find shared and workable solutions for ethical issues encountered in clinical practice. We argue that a pragmatist approach to CES, based on the philosophical theories of William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce, can help to achieve the goal of reaching practical solutions for moral problems in the context of today's clinical environment, characterized by ethical pluralism. In this article, we outline a pragmatist theoretical framework for CES. Furthermore, we will show that moral case deliberation, making use of the dilemma method, can be regarded an example of a pragmatist approach to CES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Inguaggiato
- Department of Medical Humanities, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Suzanne Metselaar
- Department of Medical Humanities, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rouven Porz
- Clinical Ethics Unit, Bern University Hospital 'Inselspital', Inselgruppe AG, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Medical Humanities, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre (VUmc), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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de Snoo-Trimp JC, Molewijk B, Ursin G, Brinchmann BS, Widdershoven GA, de Vet HC, Svantesson M. Field-testing the Euro-MCD Instrument: Experienced outcomes of moral case deliberation. Nurs Ethics 2019; 27:390-406. [PMID: 31177947 DOI: 10.1177/0969733019849454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moral case deliberation is a form of clinical ethics support to help healthcare professionals in dealing with ethically difficult situations. There is a lack of evidence about what outcomes healthcare professionals experience in daily practice after moral case deliberations. The Euro-MCD Instrument was developed to measure outcomes, based on the literature, a Delphi panel, and content validity testing. To examine relevance of items and adequateness of domains, a field study is needed. AIM To describe experienced outcomes after participating in a series of moral case deliberations, both during sessions and in daily practice, and to explore correlations between items to further validate the Euro-MCD Instrument. METHODS In Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway, healthcare institutions that planned a series of moral case deliberations were invited. Closed responses were quantitatively analyzed. The factor structure of the instrument was tested using exploratory factor analyses. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The study was approved in Sweden by a review board. In Norway and the Netherlands, data services and review boards were informed about the study. RESULTS The Euro-MCD Instrument was completed by 443 and 247 healthcare professionals after four and eight moral case deliberations, respectively. They experienced especially outcomes related to a better collaboration with co-workers and outcomes about individual moral reflexivity and attitude, both during sessions and in daily practice. Outcomes were experienced to a higher extent during sessions than in daily practice. The factor structure revealed four domains of outcomes, which did not confirm the six Euro-MCD domains. CONCLUSION Field-testing the Euro-MCD Instrument showed the most frequently experienced outcomes and which outcomes correlated with each other. When revising the instrument, domains should be reconsidered, combined with theory about underlying concepts. In the future, a feasible and valid instrument will be presented to get insight into how moral case deliberation supports and improves healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Amsterdam UMC, location VU Medical Center, The Netherlands; University of Oslo, Norway
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22
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Hartman L, Widdershoven G, de Vries A, Wensing-Kruger A, Heijer MD, Steensma T, Molewijk B. Integrative Clinical Ethics Support in Gender Affirmative Care: Lessons Learned. HEC Forum 2019; 31:241-260. [PMID: 31098934 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-019-09376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Clinical ethics support (CES) for health care professionals and patients is increasingly seen as part of good health care. However, there is a key drawback to the way CES services are currently offered. They are often performed as isolated and one-off services whose ownership and impact are unclear. This paper describes the development of an integrative approach to CES at the Center of Expertise and Care for Gender Dysphoria (CEGD) at Amsterdam University Medical Center. We specifically aimed to integrate CES into daily work processes at the CEGD. In this paper, we describe the CES services offered there in detail and elaborate on the 16 lessons we learned from the process of developing an integrative approach to CES. These learning points can inform and inspire CES professionals, who wish to bring about greater integration of CES services into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hartman
- Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelou de Vries
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelijn Wensing-Kruger
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin den Heijer
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Steensma
- Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bert Molewijk
- Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Hartman LA, Metselaar S, Molewijk AC, Edelbroek HM, Widdershoven GAM. Developing an ethics support tool for dealing with dilemmas around client autonomy based on moral case deliberations. BMC Med Ethics 2018; 19:97. [PMID: 30577790 PMCID: PMC6303905 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-018-0335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moral Case Deliberations (MCDs) are reflective dialogues with a group of participants on their own moral dilemmas. Although MCD is successful as clinical ethics support (CES), it also has limitations. 1. Lessons learned from individual MCDs are not shared in order to be used in other contexts 2. Moral learning stays limited to the participants of the MCD; 3. MCD requires quite some organisational effort, 4. MCD deals with one individual concrete case. It does not address other, similar cases (it is case based). These limitations warrant research into complementary ways of providing CES to healthcare professionals. Our research objective was therefore to develop a low threshold CES tool based on a series of MCDs on autonomy in long-term care. METHODS We used a qualitative research design in which we analyzed the process and content of a series of MCDs, combined with reflections on the theoretical background of MCD. In total 28 MCDs (10 transcripts and 18 summary reports) were analyzed by means of a thematic content analysis. In various rounds of development, the results of the analysis were combined with theoretical reflections on CES. Consequently, the tool was evaluated in three focus groups and adjusted. RESULTS The CES tool, called 'moral compass', guides the users through a series of six subsequent questions in order to methodically reflect on their concrete moral dilemma, in the form of a booklet of 23 pages. It combines a methodical element that encourages and structures a reflection process with a substantive element, including norms, values, options, strategies, and insights regarding dealing with client autonomy. CONCLUSION By using data from a series of MCDs, combined with theoretical reflections on MCD, ethics support and moral learning, we developed a thematic, low-threshold CES tool that supports healthcare professionals in daily practice in dealing with moral questions regarding client autonomy. It integrates examples and insights from earlier MCDs on the same topic. The moral compass is not a replacement of, but can be used complementary to MCD. The feasibility and impact of the moral compass need to be investigated in an evaluative follow-up study. The methodology presented in this paper may be used to develop moral compasses on different topics in various healthcare organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. A. Hartman
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, APH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S. Metselaar
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, APH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A. C. Molewijk
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, APH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - H. M. Edelbroek
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G. A. M. Widdershoven
- Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, APH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Studies show that healthcare professionals need inter-professional clinical ethics support (CES) in order to communicate and reflect on ethically difficult care situations that they experience in their clinical practice. Internationally, various CES interventions have been performed, but the communication processes and organisation of these interventions are rarely described in detail. The aim of this study was to explore communicative and organisational conditions of a CES intervention with the intention of promoting inter-professional communication about ethically difficult care situations. Eight audio- and video-recorded inter-professional CES sessions, inspired by Habermas' theory of communicative actions, were conducted. The observations were transcribed, sorted, and analysed using concept- and data-driven content analysis methods. The findings show three approaches to promoting communicative agreement, which include the CES facilitators' and participants' approaches to promoting a permissive communication, extended views, and mutual understanding. The CES sessions had organizational aspects for facilitating communicative agreement with both a given structure and openness for variation. The dynamic structure of the organization, promoted both safety and stability as well as a creativity and responsiveness, which in turn opened up for a free and dynamic inter-professional dialogue concerning ethically difficult care situations. The findings constitute a step towards a theory-based CES method inspired by Habermas' theory of communicative action. Further research is needed in order to fully develop the method and obtain increased knowledge about how to promote an inter-professional dialogue about ethically difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vera Dahlqvist
- Department of Nursing, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sandlund
- Department of Clinical Science/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Karin Zingmark
- Department of Health Science, Division of Nursing, Luleå University of Technology & Norrbotten County Council, Luleå, Sweden
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25
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de Snoo-Trimp JC, Molewijk B, de Vet HCW. Defining and categorizing outcomes of Moral Case Deliberation (MCD): concept mapping with experienced MCD participants. BMC Med Ethics 2018; 19:88. [PMID: 30454047 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-018-0324-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To support healthcare professionals in dealing with ethically difficult situations, Clinical Ethics Support (CES) services like Moral Case Deliberation (MCD) are increasingly implemented. To assess the impact of CES, it is important to evaluate outcomes. Despite general claims about outcomes from MCD experts and some qualitative research, there exists no conceptual analysis of outcomes yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically define and categorize MCD outcomes. An additional aim was to compare these outcomes with the outcomes in the Euro-MCD Instrument from 2014, to further validate this Instrument. METHODS The concept mapping method was used and involves qualitative and quantitative steps including brainstorming, individual structuring, computation of concept maps (by principal component analysis and cluster analysis), group interpretation and utilization. In total, 12 experienced MCD participants from a variety of professional backgrounds participated in two sessions. RESULTS The focus group brainstorm resulted in a list of 85 possible MCD outcomes, of which a point map and concept maps were constructed. After a thorough discussion of each cluster, final consensus was reached on the names and position of 8 clusters of MCD outcomes: 1) Organisation and Policy; 2) Team development; 3) Personal development focused on the Other Person; 4) Personal development as Professional, focused on Skills; 5) Personal development as Professional, focused on Knowledge; 6) Personal development as an Individual; 7) Perception and Connection; and 8) Concrete action. CONCLUSIONS This study explored and categorized MCD outcomes in a concept mapping focus group. When comparing the results with the Euro-MCD Instrument, our study confirms that outcomes of MCD can be categorized in clusters referring to the organisational level, team development, personal development (both as an individual and a professional) and the concrete case-level. In developing CES evaluation tools, it is important to be explicit if an outcome refers to the individual or the team, to knowledge or skills, to the organisation or the specific case. The findings will be used in the further validation of the Euro-MCD Instrument. The current study further contributes to the field of evaluating CES in general and defining outcomes of MCD in particular.
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Haan MM, van Gurp JLP, Naber SM, Groenewoud AS. Impact of moral case deliberation in healthcare settings: a literature review. BMC Med Ethics 2018; 19:85. [PMID: 30400913 PMCID: PMC6219174 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-018-0325-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An important and supposedly impactful form of clinical ethics support is moral case deliberation (MCD). Empirical evidence, however, is limited with regard to its actual impact. With this literature review, we aim to investigate the empirical evidence of MCD, thereby a) informing the practice, and b) providing a focus for further research on and development of MCD in healthcare settings. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science (June 2016). Both the data collection and the qualitative data analysis followed a stepwise approach, including continuous peer review and careful documentation of our decisions. The qualitative analysis was supported by ATLAS.ti. RESULTS Based on a qualitative analysis of 25 empirical papers, we identified four clusters of themes: 1) facilitators and barriers in the preparation and context of MCD, i.e., a safe and open atmosphere created by a facilitator, a concrete case, commitment of participants, a focus on the moral dimension, and a supportive organization; 2) changes that are brought about on a personal and inter-professional level, with regard to professional's feelings of relief, relatedness and confidence; understanding of the perspectives of colleagues, one's own perspective and the moral issue at stake; and awareness of the moral dimension of one's work and awareness of the importance of reflection; 3) changes that are brought about in caring for patients and families; and 4) changes that are brought about on an organizational level. CONCLUSIONS This review shows that MCD brings about changes in practice, mostly for the professional in inter-professional interactions. Most reported changes are considered positive, although challenges, frustrations and absence of change were also reported. Empirical evidence of a concrete impact on the quality of patient care is limited and is mostly based on self-reports. With patient-focused and methodologically sound qualitative research, the practice and the value of MCD in healthcare settings can be better understood, thus making a stronger case for this kind of ethics support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike M. Haan
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, Geert Grooteplein 21, P.O. Box 9101 (114), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle L. P. van Gurp
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, Geert Grooteplein 21, P.O. Box 9101 (114), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone M. Naber
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, Geert Grooteplein 21, P.O. Box 9101 (114), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Stef Groenewoud
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, Geert Grooteplein 21, P.O. Box 9101 (114), 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Coercion in mental health care gives rise to many ethical challenges. Many countries have recently implemented state policy programs or development projects aiming to reduce coercive practices and improve their quality. Few studies have explored the possible role of ethics (i.e., ethical theory, moral deliberation and clinical ethics support) in such initiatives. This study adds to this subject by exploring health professionals' descriptions of their ethical challenges and strategies in everyday life to ensure morally justified coercion and best practices. Seven semi-structured telephone interviews were carried out in 2012 with key informants in charge of central development projects and quality-assurance work in mental health services in Norway. No facilities used formal clinical ethics support. However, the informants described five areas in which ethics was of importance: moral concerns as implicit parts of local quality improvement initiatives; moral uneasiness and idealism as a motivational source of change; creating a normative basis for development work; value-based leadership; and increased staff reflexivity on coercive practices. The study shows that coercion entails both individual and institutional ethical aspects. Thus, various kinds of moral deliberation and ethics support could contribute to addressing coercion challenges by offering more systematic ways of dealing with moral concerns. However, more strategic use of implicit and institutional ethics is also needed.
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28
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Grönlund CF, Dahlqvist V, Zingmark K, Sandlund M, Söderberg A. Managing Ethical Difficulties in Healthcare: Communicating in Inter-professional Clinical Ethics Support Sessions. HEC Forum 2017; 28:321-338. [PMID: 27147521 DOI: 10.1007/s10730-016-9303-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Several studies show that healthcare professionals need to communicate inter-professionally in order to manage ethical difficulties. A model of clinical ethics support (CES) inspired by Habermas' theory of discourse ethics has been developed by our research group. In this version of CES sessions healthcare professionals meet inter-professionally to communicate and reflect on ethical difficulties in a cooperative manner with the aim of reaching communicative agreement or reflective consensus. In order to understand the course of action during CES, the aim of this study was to describe the communication of value conflicts during a series of inter-professional CES sessions. Ten audio- and video-recorded CES sessions were conducted over eight months and were analyzed by using the video analysis tool Transana and qualitative content analysis. The results showed that during the CES sessions the professionals as a group moved through the following five phases: a value conflict expressed as feelings of frustration, sharing disempowerment and helplessness, the revelation of the value conflict, enhancing realistic expectations, seeing opportunities to change the situation instead of obstacles. In the course of CES, the professionals moved from an individual interpretation of the situation to a common, new understanding and then to a change in approach. An open and permissive communication climate meant that the professionals dared to expose themselves, share their feelings, face their own emotions, and eventually arrive at a mutual shared reality. The value conflict was not only revealed but also resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Dahlqvist
- Department of Nursing, Ersta Sköndal University College, P.O. Box 111 89, 100 61, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Zingmark
- Division of Nursing, Department of Health Science, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87, Luleå, Sweden.,Norrbotten County Council, Landstingshuset, 971 89, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sandlund
- Department of Clinical Science/Psychiatry, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anna Söderberg
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
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29
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Magelssen M, Gjerberg E, Pedersen R, Førde R, Lillemoen L. The Norwegian national project for ethics support in community health and care services. BMC Med Ethics 2016; 17:70. [PMID: 27825344 PMCID: PMC5101716 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-016-0158-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Internationally, clinical ethics support has yet to be implemented systematically in community health and care services. A large-scale Norwegian project (2007–2015) attempted to increase ethical competence in community services through facilitating the implementation of ethics support activities in 241 Norwegian municipalities. The article describes the ethics project and the ethics activities that ensued. Methods The article first gives an account of the Norwegian ethics project. Then the results of two online questionnaires are reported, characterizing the scope, activities and organization of the ethics activities in the Norwegian municipalities and the ethical topics addressed. Results One hundred and thirty-seven municipal contact persons answered the first survey (55 % response rate), whereas 217 ethics facilitators from 48 municipalities responded to the second (33 % response rate). The Norwegian ethics project is vast in scope, yet has focused on some institutions and professions (e.g., nursing homes, home-based care; nurses, nurses’ aides, unskilled workers) whilst seldom reaching others (e.g., child and adolescent health care; physicians). Patients and next of kin were very seldom involved. Through the ethics project employees discussed many important ethical challenges, in particular related to patient autonomy, competence to consent, and cooperation with next of kin. The “ethics reflection group” was the most common venue for ethics deliberation. Conclusions The Norwegian project is the first of its kind and scope, and other countries may learn from the Norwegian experiences. Professionals have discussed central ethical dilemmas, the handling of which arguably makes a difference for patients/users and service quality. The study indicates that large (national) scale implementation of CES structures for the municipal health and care services is complex, yet feasible. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12910-016-0158-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Magelssen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Elisabeth Gjerberg
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Reidar Pedersen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Reidun Førde
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lillian Lillemoen
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Pb. 1130 Blindern, N-0318, Oslo, Norway
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30
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Abstract
According to UNESCO guidelines, one of the four forms of bioethics committees in medicine are the Hospital Ethics Committees (HECs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the above guidelines are implemented in real practice. There were 111 hospitals selected out of 176 Polish clinical hospitals and hospitals accredited by Center of Monitoring Quality in Health System. The study was conducted by the survey method. There were 56 (50%) hospitals that responded to the survey. The number of HECs members fluctuated between 3 and 16 members, where usually 5 (22% of HECs) members were part of the board committee. The composition of the HECs for professions other than physicians was diverse and non-standardized (nurses-in 86% of HECs, clergy-42%, lawyers-38%, psychologists-28%, hospital management-23%, rehab staff-7 %, patient representatives-3%, ethicists-2%). Only 55% of HECs had a professional set of standards. 98% of HECs had specific tasks. 62% of HECs were asked for their expertise, and 55% prepared <6.88% of the opinions were related to interpersonal relations between hospital personnel, patients and their families with emphasis on the interactions between superiors and their inferiors or hospital staff and patients and their families. Only 12% of the opinions were reported by the respondents as related to ethical dilemmas. In conclusion, few Polish hospitals have HECs, and the structure, services and workload are not always adequate. To ensure a reliable operation of HECs requires the development of relevant legislation, standard operating procedures and well trained members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Czarkowski
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 1a, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
- Center of Bioethics of the Supreme Medical Council, ul. Sobieskiego 110, 00-764, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 1a, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Szymańska
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, ul. Banacha 1a, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
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