Do Clinical Ethics Fellowships Prepare Trainees for their First Jobs? A National Survey of Former Clinical Ethics Fellows.

Clinical ethics consultants provide a range of services in hospital settings and in teaching environments. Training to achieve the skills needed to meet the expectations of employers comes in various forms, ranging from on-the-job training to formal fellowship training programs. We surveyed graduates of clinical ethics fellowships to evaluate their self-reported preparedness for their first job after fellowship training. The results indicated several areas of need, including greater exposure to program-building skills, quality improvement skills, and approaches to working with members of higher administration. These data will be of use to educators as well as to fellows who advocate for elements of training in preparation for their first position.

Variation in Clinical Ethics Fellowship Programs: Lessons from the Field.

Given the enduring debate over what constitutes quality, and therefore appropriate training, in clinical ethics consultation, it is unsurprising that there is variation in the structure and content of clinical ethics fellowship programs. However, this variation raises questions about the value of fellowship training when the ethicists that emerge from these programs might be quite different. The specifics of fellowship programs are largely internal. As such, the extent of variation and whether such variation is problematic remains unclear. In this article, we summarize lessons learned from discussions between fellows, their mentors and program directors at the 2020 Clinical Ethics UnConference, and outline some possible ways to advance the conversation about variation in fellowship programs and training. We argue for the more open sharing of training specifics in order to help break down the siloed nature of fellowship programs. Greater transparency could, firstly, allow for more robust reflection on and refinement of training practices and, secondly, allow us to better balance professionally appropriate consistency with unavoidable or desirable variation based on local norms, culture and leadership.

Designing a Clinical Ethics Education Program for Nurses Based on the ADDIE Model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model enables educators to create programs using a systematic approach designed to meet learner's needs. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a clinical ethics education program for nurses to improve their ethical confidence, ethical competence, and moral sensitivity. METHODS: The study was conducted in three steps. In the first step, a seven-session ethics program was developed using the ADDIE model. The themes of each session were as follows: (a) sharing individual ethical issues in clinical settings; (b) understanding a process involved in ethical decision-making; (c) identifying ethical issues in end-of-life care; (d) identifying ethical issues in family caregiving; (e) learning communication skills; (f) developing ethical leadership skills; and (g) reflecting to build self-awareness of the significance of practicing clinical ethics. The second step involved the delivery of the program. In the third step, using a mixed methods design, the effects of the program were evaluated through a quantitative survey administered both before and after completion of the program and focus group interviews. RESULTS: The seven-session ethics program based on the ADDIE model improved ethical confidence, ethical competence, and moral sensitivity in nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The ADDIE model can be an effective tool in nursing education, offering an established structure for developing educational programs. In order to validate the effectiveness of the ethics program, it is necessary to conduct repeated measure studies and further studies at the institutional level.

Effect of Experiential Competency-Based Interprofessional Education on Pre-Professional Undergraduate Students: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary faculty team-led competency-based interprofessional undergraduate course for health and human services pre-professional students. Today's complex health and social problems require inter-professional knowledge and skills. Most interprofessional education occurs in graduate-level healthcare programs. Students graduating from health and allied health professions at the undergraduate level are ill prepared to work on interprofessional teams. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study examined the impact of an innovative experiential course on interprofessional competencies. Eleven undergraduate students in human services, public health, and nursing participated in the course. Students and faculty completed a modified Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competency Survey after each simulation and results were compared. At the end of the semester, each student also responded to open-ended prompts describing their reflections pertaining to team experiences. The results of this study indicate that an undergraduate course can increase students' interprofessional competencies, and that group dynamics influence how students view their skill levels. Consistent with other studies on this topic, students' self-ratings on the survey were mostly higher than those completed by faculty members. Educators need to process group dynamics (e.g., storming, norming) and individual styles of work regularly throughout the semester in order to maximize students' development of interprofessional competencies. Pre-professional students should be provided interprofessional learning opportunities to improve their competencies for addressing complex health and social challenges.

Is clinical simulation an effective learning tool in teaching clinical ethics? / ¿Es la simulación clínica una herramienta de aprendizaje efectiva en la enseñanza de la ética clínica?

INTRODUCTION: In the teaching of clinical ethics, many traditional methods have been used that aim to develop competencies in the face of ethical challenges. Situations that can be reproduced in a standardized way through clinical simulation can be presented and evaluated in the training process of health professionals; however, its use requires evidence of effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To identify and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of teaching clinical ethics using simulation as a learning tool. METHODS: We conducted a bibliographic review, with searches in PubMed, LILACS and Cochrane databases using English and Spanish: "Ethics, Clinical/education" [Mesh]) AND "Simulation Training" [Mesh], without methodological filters, published from inception of each database until July 2019, without language, geographical or temporal restrictions. We considered as a primary outcome the identification, resolution or reflection on ethical problems. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen studies were retrieved. Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. Narrative reviews and opinion articles were excluded. The population to whom the intervention was applied were mainly students in nursing, medicine, and dentistry. A study in a multidisciplinary ethics committee was also included. The intervention was the use of the simulation technique with a standardized patient. Only two studies compared with traditional methods. Sixty percent considered the intervention to have favorable results on the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: To date, there are few studies with very low quality of evidence that evaluate the effectiveness of clinical simulation in teaching clinical ethics. The studies found that, in the short term, this methodology allows participants to identify, solve or reflect on ethical problems by using standardized patients and it seems to be advisable to incorporate simulation techniques as part of the teaching and evaluation curriculum of clinical ethics, to the extent that resources are available.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la enseñanza de la ética clínica se han utilizado numerosos métodos tradicionales que persiguen el desarrollo de competencias frente a los desafíos éticos actuales. Estas situaciones pueden ser reproducidas en forma estandarizadas mediante la simulación clínica para ser presentadas y evaluadas en el proceso de formación de los profesionales de salud. Sin embargo, se requiere disponer de evidencias sobre su efectividad. OBJETIVO: Identificar y sintetizar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de la enseñanza de la ética clínica usando la simulación como herramienta de aprendizaje. MÉTODOS: Revisión bibliográfica, con búsqueda en bases de datos PubMed, LILACS y Cochrane usando palabras clave en idiomas inglés y español: "Ethics, Clinical/education" [Mesh]) AND "Simulation Training" [Mesh], sin filtros metodológicos, publicados desde el inicio de cada base de datos hasta julio de 2019, sin restricciones idiomáticas, geográficas o temporales, considerando como desenlace primario: la identificación, resolución o reflexión de problemas éticos. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 116 estudios, de los que 15 cumplieron los criterios de selección; el resto se trataba de revisiones narrativas y artículos de opinión. La población a la cual se le aplicó la intervención era de enfermería, medicina, odontología y un estudio a un comité de ética multidisciplinario. La intervención se ejecutó usando simulación con paciente estandarizado. Sólo dos estudios realizaron comparación con métodos tradicionales y el 60% consideró el desenlace primario de interés con resultados favorables. CONCLUSIONES: Hasta la fecha existen pocos estudios y con muy baja calidad de evidencia, que evalúen la efectividad de la simulación clínica en la enseñanza de la ética clínica. Los estudios encontrados demuestran que a corto plazo esta metodología logra que los participantes puedan identificar, resolver o reflexionar sobre los problemas éticos con el uso de pacientes estandarizados. Es aconsejable su incorporación como método de enseñanza y evaluación de la ética clínica, considerando los recursos disponibles.

Alignment of Ethics Curricula in Medical Education: A Student Perspective.

Issue: Although there is consensus on the importance of including ethics in the medical school curriculum, there is wide variation in how this topic is taught. Recent literature also questions the effectiveness of current ethical teaching methods in changing student attitudes and future behavior. Furthermore, from the student perspective, there is a marked disconnect between the stated importance of and lack of effort in ethics courses. Evidence: Applying a student perspective of the hidden curriculum, as well as reviewing and applying insight from the available literature, we advocate for alignment of instructional design, content, and assessments. This article provides specific recommendations to increase student engagement in ethics courses and concludes by discussing whether a lack of engagement is attributable to intrinsic qualities of medical students in addition to pedagogical technique and educational setting and culture. Implications: This article has practical suggestions for medical educators to improve their ethics courses, leading to more well-rounded and thoughtful physicians.

Developing a moral compass: Themes from the Clinical Ethics Residency for Nurses' final essays.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Ethics Residency for Nurses was offered selectively to nurses affiliated with two academic medical centers to increase confidence in ethical decision-making. RESEARCH QUESTION/AIM: To discover how effective the participants perceived the program and if their goals of participation had been met. RESEARCH DESIGN: A total of 65 end-of-course essays (from three cohorts) were analyzed using modified directed content analysis. In-depth and recursive readings of the essays by faculty were guided by six questions that had been posed to graduates. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Institutional review board approval was granted for the duration of the program and its reporting period. Confidentiality was maintained via the use of codes for all evaluations including the essays and potentially identifying content redacted. FINDINGS: An umbrella theme emerged: participants had developed ethical knowledge and skills that provided a "moral compass to navigate the many gray areas of decision-making that confront them in daily practice." Six major themes corresponding to questions posed to the participants included the ability to advocate for good patient care; to support and empower colleagues, patients, and families; they experienced personal and professional transformation; they valued the multimodal nature of the program; and were using their new knowledge and skills in practice. However, they also recognized that their development as moral agents was an ongoing process. DISCUSSION: Findings support that enhancing nurse confidence in their moral agency with a multimodal educational approach that includes mentored practice in ethical decision-making, enhancing communication skills and role-play can mitigate moral distress. A majority found the program personally and professionally transformative. However, they recognized that ongoing ethics discussion involvement and supportive environments would be important in their continued development of ethical agency. CONCLUSION: Multimodal ethics education programs have potential to be transformative and enhance nurse confidence in their ethical decision-making.

Ethics and Industry Interactions: Impact on Specialty Training, Clinical Practice, and Research.

Physicians in training and their mentors must be cognizant of ethical concerns related to industry interactions. Mentors perceived to have conflicts of interest or to be engaging in misconduct can unconsciously and profoundly affect the learning and academic environment by implying certain values and expectations. Despite increased awareness of ethical concerns related to industry interactions in clinical practice and research, there remains a need for interventions to prevent ethical transgressions. Ethics education is essential and a move in the right direction, but it alone is likely inadequate in preventing unethical behavior. Education should be supplemented with ethical environments at institutions.

Identification of core ethical topics for interprofessional education in the intensive care unit: a thematic analysis.

Medical educators have not identified effective approaches for interprofessional ethics education of clinicians who work in intensive care units (ICUs), in spite of the fact that ICUs have a high incidence of ethical conflicts. As a first step in designing an interprofessional ethics education initiative tailored to the needs of ICU team members, we interviewed 12 professionals from the medical and surgical ICUs of a tertiary care academic medical center to understand what they know about medical ethics. Respondents were interviewed between November 2016 and February 2017. We used the 'think aloud' approach and realist thematic analysis of the sessions to evaluate the extent and content of interprofessional team members' knowledge of medical ethics. We found wide variation in their knowledge of and facility in applying the principles and concepts of biomedical ethics and ways of resolving ethical conflicts. Ethics education tailored to these areas will help equip critical care professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to discuss and address ethical conflicts encountered in the ICU. Preventive ethics rounds are one approach for providing real-time, embedded interprofessional ethics education in the clinical setting.

¿Es la simulación clínica una herramienta de aprendizaje efectiva en la enseñanza de la ética clínica? / Is clinical simulation an effective learning tool in teaching clinical ethics?

Introducción En la enseñanza de la ética clínica se han utilizado numerosos métodos tradicionales que persiguen el desarrollo de competencias frente a los desafíos éticos actuales. Estas situaciones pueden ser reproducidas en forma estandarizadas mediante la simulación clínica para ser presentadas y evaluadas en el proceso de formación de los profesionales de salud. Sin embargo, se requiere disponer de evidencias sobre su efectividad. Objetivo Identificar y sintetizar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de la enseñanza de la ética clínica usando la simulación como herramienta de aprendizaje. Métodos Revisión bibliográfica, con búsqueda en bases de datos PubMed, LILACS y Cochrane usando palabras clave en idiomas inglés y español: "Ethics, Clinical/education" [Mesh]) AND "Simulation Training" [Mesh], sin filtros metodológicos, publicados desde el inicio de cada base de datos hasta julio de 2019, sin restricciones idiomáticas, geográficas o temporales, considerando como desenlace primario: la identificación, resolución o reflexión de problemas éticos. Resultados Se encontraron 116 estudios, de los que 15 cumplieron los criterios de selección; el resto se trataba de revisiones narrativas y artículos de opinión. La población a la cual se le aplicó la intervención era de enfermería, medicina, odontología y un estudio a un comité de ética multidisciplinario. La intervención se ejecutó usando simulación con paciente estandarizado. Sólo dos estudios realizaron comparación con métodos tradicionales y el 60% consideró el desenlace primario de interés con resultados favorables. Conclusiones Hasta la fecha existen pocos estudios y con muy baja calidad de evidencia, que evalúen la efectividad de la simulación clínica en la enseñanza de la ética clínica. Los estudios encontrados demuestran que a corto plazo esta metodología logra que los participantes puedan identificar, resolver o reflexionar sobre los problemas éticos con el uso de pacientes estandarizados. Es aconsejable su incorporación como método de enseñanza y evaluación de la ética clínica, considerando los recursos disponibles.

Introduction In the teaching of clinical ethics, many traditional methods have been used that aim to develop competencies in the face of ethical challenges. Situations that can be reproduced in a standardized way through clinical simulation can be presented and evaluated in the training process of health professionals; however, its use requires evidence of effectiveness. Objective To identify and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of teaching clinical ethics using simulation as a learning tool. Methods We conducted a bibliographic review, with searches in PubMed, LILACS and Cochrane databases using English and Spanish: "Ethics, Clinical/education" [Mesh]) AND "Simulation Training" [Mesh], without methodological filters, published from inception of each database until July 2019, without language, geographical or temporal restrictions. We considered as a primary outcome the identification, resolution or reflection on ethical problems. Results One hundred sixteen studies were retrieved. Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. Narrative reviews and opinion articles were excluded. The population to whom the intervention was applied were mainly students in nursing, medicine, and dentistry. A study in a multidisciplinary ethics committee was also included. The intervention was the use of the simulation technique with a standardized patient. Only two studies compared with traditional methods. Sixty percent considered the intervention to have favorable results on the primary outcome. Conclusions To date, there are few studies with very low quality of evidence that evaluate the effectiveness of clinical simulation in teaching clinical ethics. The studies found that, in the short term, this methodology allows participants to identify, solve or reflect on ethical problems by using standardized patients and it seems to be advisable to incorporate simulation techniques as part of the teaching and evaluation curriculum of clinical ethics, to the extent that resources are available.

Developing, Administering, and Scoring the Healthcare Ethics Consultant Certification Examination.

In November 2018, the practice of health care ethics consultation crossed a major threshold when 138 candidates took the inaugural Healthcare Ethics Consultant Certification Examination. This accomplishment, long in the making, has had and continues to have both advocates and critics. The Healthcare Ethics Consultant Certification Commission, a functionally autonomous body created and funded by the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, was charged with overseeing creation of the certification process, developing the exam, and formulating certification standards and policies to assess candidates' qualifications. In this essay, as members of the commission, we describe the process of developing, administering, and scoring the certification examination as well as the historical context and the outlook for certification. By detailing the decisions and actions of the commission, we aim to provide a transparent account of the commission's efforts to develop a psychometrically sound, reliable, and secure examination through a deliberative, fair, and data-driven process.

Maniobra Kristeller, consecuencias físicas y éticas según sus protagonistas / Kristeller Maneuver, physical and ethical consequences according to its central characters

Introducción: La maniobra Kristeller consiste en hacer presión del fondo uterino en el período expulsivo, la segunda etapa del trabajo de parto. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia, características de la aplicación de la maniobra Kristeller y consecuencias físicas y éticas en puérperas de un hospital de alta complejidad en Lima, Perú. Métodos: Diseño descriptivo transversal y prospectivo. Se incluyeron 250 puérperas de parto vaginal, con gestación única a término, atendidas en el Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue, entre agosto y diciembre de 2016. Se usó cuestionario -Stop Kristeller- realizado por la Asociación Española El parto es nuestro. Se les aplicó un cuestionario validado por expertos a las puérperas durante su estancia. Se realizó análisis descriptivo mostrando los resultados en frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados: Se evidenció que a 116 de ellas (46,4 por ciento) se les realizó la maniobra Kristeller. Con respecto a las características de la realización de la maniobra 77,6 por ciento refirió que se realizó con las palmas de las manos, más del 70 por ciento refirió que fue entre una y tres veces y 75,9 por ciento señaló que solo una persona la realizó. El 32,8 por ciento reportó haber sufrido desgarro vaginal y 51,7 por ciento refirió que no solicitaron su consentimiento para realizar la maniobra. Conclusiones: Existe elevada prevalencia de la utilización de la maniobra, las características de su aplicación siguen pautas descritas por Samuel Kristeller, entre las consecuencias físicas encontradas están los desgarros perineales superficiales y profundos y en muchos casos las condiciones bioéticas no se cumplieron(AU)

Introduction: The Kristeller maneuver consists in making fundal pressure during the second stage of labor. Objective: To determine the prevalence, characteristics of the application of Kristeller maneuver and the physical and ethical consequences in puerperal women of a highly complex hospital in Lima, Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional and prospective descriptive study was carried out in 250 puerperal women of vaginal delivery, with single gestation at term, assisted at Hipólito Unanue National Hospital, from August to December 2016. This research used the Stop Kristeller questionnaire - prepared by the Spanish Association El parto es nuestro. A questionnaire validated by experts was applied to the puerperal women during their stay. A descriptive analysis was made and the results in frequencies and percentages are shown. Results: It was showed that 116 of them (46.4 percent) underwent Kristeller maneuver. Regarding the characteristics of the maneuver performance, 77.6 percent reported that it was performed with hand palms, more than 70 percent reported that this maneuver was done between one and three times and 75.9 percent indicated that only one person performed it. Vaginal tear was reported in 32.8 percent and 51.7 percent reported their consent to perform the maneuver was not requested. Conclusions: There is high prevalence of the use of this maneuver. The characteristics of its application follow the guidelines described by Samuel Kristeller. Superficial and deep perineal tears are among the physical consequences and in many cases, bioethical conditions were not fulfilled(AU)

The Role of Oncology Nurses as Ethicists: Training, Opportunities, and Implications for Practice.

Ethical challenges are inherent in oncology clinical practice. Ranging from transitions in care to code status and treatment decisions, these ethical challenges can have an acute effect on nurses, with well-established connections to moral distress and other psycho-emotional sequelae. The availability of a nurse ethicist can provide invaluable resources to support nurses in awareness of ethical challenges and support for ethical decision making in practice.

A practical framework for remediating unprofessional behavior and for developing professionalism competencies and a professional identity.

The relatively new term "Professional Identity Formation" (PIF) complements behavior-based and attitude-based perspectives on professionalism. Unprofessional behavior and its remediation should also be addressed from this perspective. However, a framework is needed to guide discussion and remediation of unprofessional behavior, which can encompass behavior-based, attitude-based, and identity-based perspectives on professionalism. To this end, the authors propose a multi-level professionalism framework which describes, apart from professional behavior, more levels which influence professional performance: environment, competencies, beliefs, values, identity, and mission. The different levels can provide tools for educators to address and discuss unprofessional behavior with their students in a comprehensive way. By reflecting on all the different levels of the framework, educators guard themselves against narrowing the discussion to either professional behavior or professional identity. The multi-level professionalism framework can help educators and students to gain a better understanding of the root of unprofessional behavior, and of remediation strategies that would be appropriate. For despite the recent emphasis on PIF, unprofessional behavior and its remediation will remain important issues in medical education.

Spirituality in medical education: a concept analysis.

Spirituality in medical education is an abstract multifaceted concept, related to the healthcare system. As a significant dimension of health, the importance and promotion of this concept has received considerable attention all over the world. However, it is still an abstract concept and its use in different contexts leads to different perceptions, thereby causing challenges. In this regard, the study aimed to clarify the existing ambiguities of the concept of spirituality in medical education. Walker and Avant (Strategies for theory construction in nursing, Prentice Hall, Boston, 2011) concept analysis eight-step approach was used. After an extensive review of online national and international databases from 2000 to 2015, 180 articles and 3 books in English and Persian were retrieved for the purposes of the study. Analysis revealed that the defining attributes of spirituality in medical education are: teaching with all heart and soul, Life inspiring, ontological multidimensional connectedness, religious-secular spectrum, and socio-cultural intricacies. Moreover, innate wisdom, skillful treatment, transcendent education, and environmental requirements were antecedents to this concept, with the health of body and soul, intrapersonal development and elevation, and responsive treatment and education being its consequences. The defining attributes provided in this study can assist physicians, instructors, and professors to develop and implement evidence-based, health based and comprehensive education plans according to the guidelines of professional ethics and qualification of using spirituality in practice. The clarification of the noted concept facilitates further development of medical knowledge, research, and research instruments.

Weekly Rounding With the MICU Team: Description of a Clinical Ethics Project.

CONTEXT:: Patients in medical intensive care units (MICUs) are medically complex. This complexity can lead to uncertainty about patient goals and prognosis. Ethical dilemmas arise when there is uncertainty about the clinically and ethically appropriate actions for managing seriously ill patients. Ethics and palliative care involvement may promote improved quality of care and reduced staff moral distress. PROJECT DESCRIPTION:: In this clinical project, a physician with ethics, palliative care, and geriatrics expertise attended morning rounds with the MICU team weekly. Data on the logistics and impact from the first 2 years of the project were collected. PROJECT LOGISTICS AND PRELIMINARY IMPACT:: Rounds lasted approximately 1.75 hours per week. The rounder was present for discussion of approximately 200 patients per year and made comments on nearly half of the patients. The comments were categorized as 25% ethics, 40% palliative care, 10% geriatrics, and 25% a combination or other topic. Attending physicians rated the project as helpful. The number of ethics and palliative care consults from the MICU increased in the first 2 years. Downstream impact has included a dietician reviewing Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment forms with teams throughout the hospital and routine review of advance directives of newly admitted patients. DISCUSSION:: Weekly MICU rounding provides an opportunity to briefly teach staff and trainees about relevant ethics, palliative care, and geriatrics issues. It also provides a forum for discussion of ethically challenging cases. Considerations when starting a similar program are discussed.