Which community member would be an appropriate choice for an ethics committee member?

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Abstract

Reflecting on a three year long exploratory research of ethics committees in the Czech Republic authors discuss the current role and identity of research ethics committees. The research of Czech ethics committees focused on both self-presentation and self-understanding of ECs members, and how other stakeholders (representatives of the pharmaceutical industry) view them. The exploratory research was based on formal and informal communication with the members of the ethics committees. Members of the research team took part at six regular voluntary meetings of the ethics committees' members, organised by the Forum of Czech Ethics Committees, and at three summer schools of medical ethics. There were realised twenty-five semi-structured interviews as well as six focus group sessions and a participant observation of several regular meetings of three ethics committees. On the grounds of experience from the interviews a simple questionnaire survey was realised among the members of the ethics committees. The ethics committees comprise a community of members working voluntarily, without claims to remuneration or prestige; the unifying goal is protection of subjects of research. The principal working methods are dialogue and agreement. The members of the ethics committees thus, among other things, create an informal community, which can be to a certain extent seen as a Kantian ethical community in a weak sense. The phenomenon of ethics committees can also be described by terms of an epistemic community and a community of practice. These concepts, which are borrowed from other authors and areas, are used as a way how to think of ECs role and identity a bit differently and are meant as a contribution to the current international debate on the topic.

Journal Information

Journal of Medical Ethics is a leading international journal that reflects the whole field of medical ethics. The journal seeks to promote ethical reflection and conduct in scientific research and medical practice. It features original, full length articles on ethical aspects of health care, as well as brief reports, responses, editorials, and other relevant material. To ensure international relevance JME has an Editorial Advisory Board from all around the world.

Publisher Information

Vision – To be the world's leading and most trusted provider of information and services that will make a real difference in clinical practice and improve outcomes for patients. Mission – To lead the debate on healthcare and to deliver innovative, useful evidence based knowledge, best practice and learning to doctors, other health professionals, researchers and patients when and where they need it. We publish a number of journals covering major specialties and a growing number of online products for doctors and patients. Continuous product development ensures that our products and services are of constant importance to the medical profession. The BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (BMJPG) is the innovative publishing division of the British Medical Association (BMA) and is one of the world leaders in medical publishing. The BMJ Group complements the activities of the BMA.

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EC has to ensure protection of the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of the research participants

EC must ensure ethical conduct of research by the investigator team

EC is responsible for declaration of conflicts of interest to the Chairperson

EC should perform its function through competent initial and continuing review of all scientific, ethical, medical and social aspects of research proposals received by it in an objective, timely and independent manner

EC should assist in the development and education of the research community in the given institute

EC should ensure that privacy of the individual and confidentiality of data including the documents of EC meetings is protected

EC reviews progress reports, final reports and AE/SAE and gives needful suggestions

Regarding care of the participants and risk minimization procedures, if applicable

EC should recommend appropriate compensation for research related injury, wherever required

EC should carry out monitoring visits at study sites as and when needed

Ethics Committee

Tel:  507-646-1002

The care of patients, especially in the hospital or in end-of-life care settings, can be complex.  Difficult situations are common, and there may be times when dilemmas arise.  A patient’s family may see things differently than the members of the medical team.  Even among members of the same family, there may be conflict about decisions that need to be made for the care of a loved one.  These are circumstances in which the Ethics Committee may be able to help.

What is the Ethics Committee?

The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to support families and healthcare staff in the resolution of ethical issues that may occur in the course of hospitalization or other care provided by Northfield Hospital & Clinics.  The committee provides consultation to the patient, family and health care team on a wide range of problems and decisions that may occur during hospital or other care.

Who are the members of the Ethics Committee?

The members of the Ethics Committee come from a wide variety of health care disciplines within Northfield Hospital & Clinics and the community.  Professionals who work at the hospital, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, serve with a diverse group of community representatives, including doctors, educators, ethicists, and members of the community.  The doctors and nurses on the committee represent a variety of clinical specialties.

When is an Ethics consultation appropriate?

Sometimes patients, families, and staff have very difficult choices to make.  They may face moral dilemmas and may need to review ethical questions and concerns.  Discussions with the Ethics Committee can be helpful and reassuring when confronting a challenging decision.
Doctors  and families each have the best interests of the patient at heart.  However, sometimes patients or family members may differ with each other or with doctors in how they see and understand the patient’s illness and options for treatment or care.  An Ethics Committee consultation may prove helpful at times of such disagreement.  An independent review of the case focusing on ethical issues can serve to clarify matters for everyone involved.

What does the Ethics Committee do?

The main role of the Ethics Committee is to review specific, individual patient-care situations and dilemmas.  After the review, the Ethics Committee  will   provide an opinion about the situation from an ethical point of view.  The consultation process aims to assist all those involved in having an open discussion about the patient’s care.  The outcome of the consultation is an honest and thoughtful recommendation to the patient, family and medical team.  All members of the health care team, as well as the patient and family, are invited to attend the meeting, if possible.  Decisions resulting from the consultation are advisory and are not institutionally or legally binding. 

Who may request an Ethics consultation?

The Ethics Committee is a resource for patients and their families as well as for doctors, nurses, or other Northfield Hospital & Clinics staff who are concerned about the ethical decision-making process in the care of the patient.

How does one access the Ethics Committee?

Patients, family members or other involved persons, and professional staff all have the right to request an Ethics consultation by contacting the Ethics Intake Coordinator at 507-646-1002.    Be sure to provide a contact phone number and/or email, as well as the name and location of the patient involved.  Once a request is made, the consultation will occur within a few days.  An emergency consultation will take place as soon as possible, within 24 hours.

What is an ethics committee quizlet?

Which professionals are often a part of an institutional ethics committee?

What does an ethics committee handle quizlet?

What ethics members should take into consideration when addressing ethical dilemmas?