RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sources of bias in clinical ethics case deliberation
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 678
OP 682
DO 10.1136/medethics-2013-101604
VO 40
IS 10
A1 Morten Magelssen
A1 Reidar Pedersen
A1 Reidun Førde
YR 2014
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/10/678.abstract
AB A central task for clinical ethics consultants and committees (CEC) is providing analysis of, and advice on, prospective or retrospective clinical cases. However, several kinds of biases may threaten the integrity, relevance or quality of the CEC's deliberation. Bias should be identified and, if possible, reduced or counteracted. This paper provides a systematic classification of kinds of bias that may be present in a CEC's case deliberation. Six kinds of bias are discussed, with examples, as to their significance and risk factors. Possible remedies are suggested. The potential for bias is greater when the case deliberation is performed by an individual ethics consultant than when an entire clinical ethics committee is involved.