Clinical ethics service
The Clinical Ethics Service provides:
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Ethics case consultations for current clinical cases
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Ethical reviews of past clinical cases
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Ethics review of new technologies and treatments
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Facilitated departmental discussions that can foster communication, mediation and practical problem solving
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Education sessions
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Policy advice and formulation.
Who can use the clinical ethics service?
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Any RCH, MCRI or University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics staff member
How quickly can the clinical ethics service respond?
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For a current case, the clinical ethics service can respond to a request for informal advice within 24 hours
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A formal ethics case consultation which involves a meeting attended by clinical staff and Clinical Ethics Case Consultation Group members can usually be organized within a few days to a week
Case referral process
Initial contact with the Clinical Ethics Service can be made by:
- Phone to the Children's Bioethics Centre on 9345 4086 (Wed - Frid ONLY) or
- Email to bioethics.centre@rch.org.au.
If requested, a formal clinical ethics case meeting will be organized. This meeting is attended by the clinical ethicist, the referring clinician, representatives of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient's care, the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Clinical of the Clinical Ethics Committee and members of the Clinical Ethics case consultation group. Written notes of the clinical ethics case meeting are provided to the referring clinician.
Suggestions for clinical ethics case presentations.
Clinical ethics issues
Areas to consider for case review, education, facilitated discussions or input into policy development:
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Informed consent
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End of life decision making including advanced treatment plans and withdrawal and withholding treatment
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Withholding information from children (children/families rights)
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Children's participation in decision making
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Cultural dissonance/cross cultural care
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Use of interpreters
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Prenatal screening/diagnosis
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Predictive genetic testing including carrier status in minors
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Genetic counseling
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Children's participation in research- competence, opt out consent, children's assent to treatment
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Vaccination practice
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Allocation of resources
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Professional practice- including communication/confidentiality between providers
Resources
Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment- clinical resources
www.rch.org.au/genmed/intranet/?doc_id=12156
Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment- policy document
www.rch.org.au/policy_rch/?doc_id=9743
American Academy of Pediatrics Bioethics policy statements
American Academy of Pediatrics Bioethics policy statements