Exploring accountability of clinical ethics consultants: practice and training implications

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Bioethics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Clinical ethics consultants (CECs) are multidisciplinary professionals aiding ethically sound patient care.
• Limited literature exists on the accountability of CECs for patient care outcomes.
• Diverse academic backgrounds of CECs present unique training and ethical considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a model for assessing the accountability of clinical ethics consultants.
• To define degrees of internally motivated accountability for CECs.
• To advocate for balanced accountability in clinical ethics practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual model development for accountability.
• Analysis of accountability spectrum from restricted to unbounded.
• Exploration of training implications for diverse CEC backgrounds.

Main Results:

• A model for examining degrees of internally motivated accountability is proposed.
• Accountability for CECs can range from restricted to unbounded.
• Balanced accountability is supported as a practice goal.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model provides a framework for understanding CEC accountability.
• Training for CECs should consider diverse backgrounds and ethical codes.
• Promoting balanced accountability is crucial for effective clinical ethics consultation.