Leaving the Bedside to Mend the Bedside: Influencing Public Policy

Informed consent laws allow patients to decide what happens to their bodies within a medical setting, but medical practices within academic teaching hospitals do not always live up to ethical standards or align with the values and wishes of clinicians, patients, and families. Bioethics often helps to resolve these conflicts through collaboration and dialogue. However, when conflicts persist and are resistant to change, it may be necessary to pursue regulatory or legislative solutions. This paper discusses the role of bioethics in strengthening federal regulations on explicit consent for sensitive (pelvic, prostate, rectal, and breast) exams. Since psychologists within academic health centers may also wish to influence policy, this paper concludes with practical, achievable guidance for psychologists to gain an understanding of the public policymaking process, develop relationships with policymakers, and take steps to exert influence on the policymaking process.