Professionals in the healthcare field, such as doctors and surgeons, are often faced with ethical dilemmas concerning patient care, and they may not be adequately trained to deal with such issues. First and foremost, they are experts in their specialty, not in the field of medical ethics. Here is where clinical ethicists come in. A clinical ethicist works in a clinical setting and provides guidance to both doctors and patients about the ethical and legal issues surrounding certain treatments and procedures. With the rise of more advanced, diverse treatment options–in particular genetic testing and profiling–clinical ethicists are in high demand to help deal with the potential ethical concerns associated with these treatments.
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Common areas of involvement for clinical ethicists are controversial therapies, end-of-life care, and situations in which religious beliefs conflict with treatment, such as with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witness followers concerning blood transfusions. A case study from the Washington University School of Medicine presents the following scenario that a clinical ethicist may encounter on the job:
An older woman is admitted to the hospital after bleeding in the brain caused irreversible damage, leaving her dependent on a ventilator and in a permanent state of unconsciousness. A year before this incident, the woman had drawn up a living will that stated that she didn’t want artificial life support in the case of permanent vegetative state. Her husband has surrogate decision-making powers and is aware of the will but refuses to provide consent to withdraw treatment, despite other family members’ insistence and understanding that his wife will never recover meaningful brain function.
A clinical ethicist must consider what should be done in regard to the patient, as well as the ethical and legal parameters of the situation. There is no clear answer, and it is up to the clinical ethicist to explore all sides of the situation, with special attention to the areas informed consent, surrogate decision-making, and the patient’s ability to choose her care.
This profession is not an easy one, as it involves making difficult decisions about complex issues, but it is vital to a well-functioning healthcare system. In order to become a clinical ethicist, an individual must obtain at least a Master’s degree in clinical ethics, such as one from this program offered at Case Western Reserve University, or in another closely related area, such as biology, science, or medicine. He or she must also have a strong background in philosophy and the social sciences. This position is well suited for someone who is able to think critically and make tough decisions without becoming too emotionally involved.
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, the average salary for a clinical ethicist ranges from $44,506 to $97,533 annually, with a median salary of $68,642 per year.
