The Circle Method: A Novel Approach to Clinical Ethics Consultation.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Ethics
• Bioethics
• Medical Ethics Consultation

Background:

• Multiple methodologies exist for clinical ethics consultation.
• Individual methods may be insufficient for complex cases.
• A combined approach enhances ethical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate established clinical ethics methods.
• To introduce and detail the circle method for ethics consultation.
• To provide a practical framework for improving ethics consultations.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of Beauchamp and Childress's four-principle approach.
• Critical review of Jonsen, Siegler, and Winslade's four-box method.
• Presentation and refinement of the circle method based on practical application.

Main Results:

• The four-principle and four-box methods have limitations when used in isolation.
• The circle method offers a structured yet flexible approach to ethics consultation.
• Combined methodologies, including the circle method, improve ethical decision-making.

Conclusions:

• A combination of methods, including the circle method, is superior to single approaches in clinical ethics.
• The circle method provides a valuable tool for enhancing ethics consultation practice.
• Further research should explore the efficacy of the circle method in diverse clinical settings.