Improving Practitioner Skills Through Clinical Ethics Consultations: Insights from Recent Research

Clinical ethics consultations (CECs) are critical interventions designed to address ethical issues in healthcare settings. The recent scoping review titled "Clinical ethics consultations: a scoping review of reported outcomes" offers valuable insights that can help practitioners enhance their skills and improve patient outcomes. This blog will summarize the key findings and suggest ways practitioners can apply these insights in their practice.

Key Findings from the Research

The review identified and mapped outcomes from 48 primary studies of CECs, categorizing them into five domains: quality, process factors, clinical factors, personal factors, and resource factors. Here are the key takeaways:

• Quality: The most frequently reported outcomes were related to the quality of CECs, including perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and overall experience. Practitioners found CECs helpful in clarifying ethical issues, improving communication, and providing emotional support.
• Process Factors: These outcomes focused on the activities between CEC providers and stakeholders, such as identifying and resolving ethical issues, achieving consensus, and facilitating understanding. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement were crucial.
• Clinical Factors: This domain included changes in patient care, such as adherence to recommendations, changes in treatment plans, and reduced non-beneficial treatments. Practitioners noted improved patient management and care quality.
• Personal Factors: Outcomes in this domain included changes in personal state or stakeholder perspectives, such as reduced moral distress, enhanced knowledge, and increased confidence. Practitioners felt more supported and better equipped to handle ethical dilemmas.
• Resource Factors: These outcomes focused on resource consumption, such as length of stay and cost avoidance. Effective CECs were associated with reduced hospital stays and cost savings.

Applying Research Insights to Practice

Practitioners can enhance their skills and improve patient outcomes by implementing the following strategies based on the research findings:

• Enhance Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial for identifying and resolving ethical issues. Practitioners should focus on improving their communication skills to facilitate better understanding and consensus among stakeholders.
• Engage Stakeholders: Involving all relevant stakeholders, including patients and families, in the decision-making process can lead to more comprehensive and accepted solutions. Practitioners should strive to create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard.
• Focus on Education and Training: Continuous education and training in clinical ethics can help practitioners stay updated on best practices and enhance their ability to handle complex ethical dilemmas. Institutions should provide regular training sessions and workshops.
• Utilize Evidence-Based Practices: Applying evidence-based practices in clinical ethics can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of resources. Practitioners should stay informed about the latest research and incorporate evidence-based strategies into their practice.
• Reduce Moral Distress: Addressing and reducing moral distress among healthcare providers can improve job satisfaction and patient care. Practitioners should seek support from ethics committees and use CECs to navigate challenging ethical situations.

Encouraging Further Research

While the scoping review provides valuable insights, there is still a need for further research to standardize outcome measures and develop validated tools for evaluating CECs. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in research studies and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in clinical ethics.To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Clinical ethics consultations: a scoping review of reported outcomes.