Ethics Advisory Service
Clinical Ethics Consultation Service – What’s the best thing to do?
Every day, treating teams, users, and their loved ones make decisions regarding care and services. Those decisions are not always of a medical nature; sometimes they have to make moral decisions. We all give different weight to the same values and ethical principles, and this can lead to ethical dilemmas.
If a situation appears complex, or it seems difficult to make a fair or acceptable decision, an ethics consultation is recommended to help you make a decision.
When to request an ethics consultation?
At any time during the provision of care and services, for example when:
- The values and beliefs of a patient, his family, or the team conflict with what can be done from a medical perspective.
- A relative must make a decision for a patient who can’t participate in the decision making process and the relative has questions about his role and whether the treatment recommended by the team is in accordance with the patient’s wishes.
How does clinical ethics consultation work?
An ethicist will support all parties involved in:
- Identifying the issues
- Clarifying the values and principles at stake
- Analyzing the options and supporting the thought process behind the preferred option
- Determining the preferred option
Who can request an ethics consultation?
- Any member of the care team
- Patients, their families, and loved ones
The clinical ethics consultation service has a power of recommendation. It will not make a decision for you, but will provide ADVICE, ASSISTANCE, and SUPPORT.