A paradigm shift for ethics committees and case consultation: a modest proposal.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• The current expert-consultation model in healthcare ethics is deeply ingrained in modern healthcare.
• This paradigm shapes institutional and personnel expectations, influencing the development of Healthcare Ethics Committees (HECs) and ethics case consultation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a paradigm shift in healthcare ethics consultation.
• To redefine the role of HECs from expert consultants to community-enablers focused on institutional improvement and ethical patient care.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the expert-consultation model in healthcare ethics.
• Argument for a new paradigm rooted in ethical principles rather than solely medical expertise.

Main Results:

• A shift towards an enabling model for HECs is proposed.
• HECs should prioritize institutional improvement over individual case resolution.
• HECs will function more as agents of social change, leveraging institutional resources.

Conclusions:

• The evolution of HECs towards an enabling and institution-focused model represents a positive advancement in healthcare ethics.
• This shift enhances the capacity of healthcare professionals to address ethical dimensions of patient care.
• Adopting this new paradigm fosters positive social change within healthcare institutions.