Clinical ethics problems in psychiatry and the need for clinical ethics consultation in Japan: A cross-sectional...

Psychiatrists often encounter ethical dilemmas in their daily clinical practice. Clinical ethics consultations (CECs) have been recently increasing, especially in general hospitals. However, the current situation in the psychiatric field is unclear. This study clarifies clinical ethics problems in psychiatry and determines the need for CECs.

We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey in February 2022, which targeted directors and supervisors of psychiatric specialty training programs at 1224 psychiatry facilities.

Responses were received from 311 facilities (response rate: 25.4%). CEC systems existed in 223 (72.2%) facilities, and medical safety committees were the most common. Clinical ethics problems occurred at 248 (80.3%) facilities; the most common method for managing the problems was discussions at case conferences without using CECs. The top four reasons for psychiatrists to solicit advice were conflicts with patients' relatives, treating a patient with cognitive impairment, discontinuation of treatment, and suicide/attempted suicide. Most respondents (89.9%) considered CECs necessary.

Although CECs exist in psychiatry, they may not meet the needs of clients. Future studies are needed to investigate client satisfaction and CEC evaluation methods in facilities where psychiatric CECs are provided.