Dr Rebecca Lindsay-Mealey1, Ms Anne Preisz, Professor David Isaacs
1Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
Developing a universal tool to evaluate Clinical Ethics Services (CES) is difficult according to current literature for many reasons including the variability of service models, as well as the multitude of outcome measures proposed. While CES operate in diverse ways there are consistencies between them, notably their aims. The common goals of most CES globally, I propose, can be used as a ‘standardised’ tool to measure ‘effectiveness’ and ‘value’ of a CES. We developed a cross sectional survey to ask all clinical and administrative staff members of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN), whether from their experience they felt our CES aims are being met and, if not, how we should better meet those aims. Here we outline a novel Quality Improvement (QI) framework that extends beyond a simple ‘satisfaction survey’, to elicit deeper perspectives and insights using inductive analysis methodology to evaluate the goals, impact and value of the SCHN Clinical Ethics Support Service. This method of evaluation aims to be generalisable, and applicable to other Clinical Ethics services. This approach may garner wider institutional and governmental support for improved funding of CES.
Biography:
Rebecca Lindsay-Mealey is the Clinical Ethics Fellow at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. She is a Paediatric Advanced Trainee, dual training in General Paediatrics and Community Child Health. Rebecca has recently completed a project looking at the Evaluation of Clinical Ethics Services. Rebecca has special interests in Clinical Ethics, neurodevelopmental and behavioural conditions particularly in girls, and family-centred care.