Clinical Ethics Consultation: Exploring the Practice and Training in Pakistan (V)
Annum Ishtiaq1, Sarosh Saleem1, Nuzhat Malik1, Nida Shamsi1, Saint Louis University St. Louis2, Lahore Punjab
1Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United states2Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract
Introduction:
This study aims to explore the experiences of Clinical/Hospital Ethics Committee members in Pakistan. Clinical Ethics and Clinical Ethics Committees are not as established in many developing countries, including Pakistan, as they are in Western world. Pakistan has a unique socio-cultural and religious environment which plays a crucial role in clinical decision-making, creating challenges that may conflict with the personnel and professional values of healthcare providers and patients/families involved. Clinical Ethics Committees can play a vital role in mediating conflict resolution providing timely and skilled support to patients and providers facing ethical dilemmas in clinical care by providing ethical guidance in such situations. Since there is dearth of Clinical Ethics Consultation in Pakistan, it is essential to explore experiences of professionals involved in clinical ethics consultations at various institutes in Pakistan.
Methododology:
The study aims to enroll at least 20 members of Clinical Ethics Committees for at least six months. The interviews will be transcribed and analyzed using NVivo software to generate themes.
Results:
The preliminary results of the study, (the data is still being collected) shows that there is lack of training opportunities in Pakistan and consultants learn on job.The participants found cultural practices of family-oriented decision-making challenging while appreciated the contextual information that played a role in their recommendations. Participants highlighted logistic challenges as a barrier in communication.
Conclusion:
The data is still being collected but the preliminary data shows that more training opportunities, guidelines and policies are required in Pakistan to support clinical ethics consultation.
Biography
Sarosh Saleem is a physician ethicist from Pakistan. Dr. Saleem is currently pursuing Doctorate in Health Care Ethics from Saint Louis University, MO, USA. She is Assistant Professor of Bioethics and founding head of Bioethics Department at Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan. Dr. Saleem has a keen interest in Clinical Ethics Consultation, Cross-cultural ethical issues, Pediatric end of life and research. In 2021, Dr. Saleem received Hans Joachiam Shwagger Award at ICCEC 2021 as acknowledgement and encouragement of efforts in developing Clinical ethics Consultations in Pakistan. She has a Masters in Bioethics from Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan and Fellowship in Pediatric Bioethics from Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA. She plans to continue teaching and training Bioethics and especially Clinical Ethics in Pakistan on completion of PhD in Health Care Ethics.