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Enhancing clinical ethics consultation: practical insights and challenges of the critical dialogue method
  1. Alberto Boretti
  1. Independent Scientist, Wellington, New Zealand
  1. Correspondence to Dr Alberto Boretti; a.a.boretti{at}gmail.com

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Introduction

Clinical ethics consultation has become an integral part of healthcare, serving as a mechanism to navigate complex moral dilemmas that arise in medical practice. The critical dialogue method, as described by Delany et al1, presents a structured approach that emphasises the role of dialogue in resolving ethical issues. This method is designed to enhance moral clarity and confidence among healthcare professionals, thus improving clinical decision-making. The following commentary delves into the practical application of the critical dialogue method’s seven facilitation steps, analysing real-world cases to illustrate its effectiveness and identifying potential challenges, particularly in culturally diverse settings.

The seven facilitation steps in practice

The critical dialogue method is structured around seven facilitation steps that steer the ethical deliberation process. These steps are intended to foster a systematic and reflective discussion, prompting participants to consider diverse perspectives and work towards a consensus on ethical matters. The seven steps,1 initiation of dialogue,2 exploration of perspectives,3 identification of ethical principles,4 deliberation on options,5 consensus building, (6) implementation of the decision and (7) reflection and evaluation, are outlined in figure 1.

Figure 1

The seven facilitation steps in practice by Delany et al.1

Impact on clinical decision-making

The critical dialogue method has the potential to significantly enhance clinical …

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Footnotes

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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