Oral Presentation Australasian Association of Bioethics & Health Law and New Zealand Bioethics Conference

Moral case deliberations using the dilemma method, a Dutch perspective (909)

Mascha J Hoexum-Moerenburg 1 2 3
  1. Post Graduate Student Bioethics, Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand
  2. Speech Language Therapist, Allied Health, Waitemata DHB, Auckland, New Zealand
  3. Takai Clinical Ethics Consulting, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

 

Ethical dilemmas are part of daily work in a clinical situation. Dilemmas are often resolved directly within the relevant clinical setting. However, with current medical advances, emerging technologies and issues like a growing ageing population with more complex comorbidities, dilemmas are at times, not easily solved. Traditionally a Clinical Ethics Advisory Group (CEAG) would be approached. Research and experience, however, has shown that this is not always the case. In The Netherlands, a trend has been observed whereby hospitals and long-term care facilities are implementing a moral case deliberation (MCD) service. This service often operates alongside the more traditional setting of a CEAG. The aim of moral case deliberations using the dilemma method (DM) is to use a facilitated dialogue based on self-reflection in order to solve a moral dilemma. The moral dilemma is explored with the health care professionals who are involved in the case, as opposed to an expert opinion being provided by an external party such as a CEAG. This presentation aims to provide a brief overview of moral case deliberations using the dilemma method in the Netherlands, how it can be used in conjunction with a CEAG and its potential for Australasia.