COVID‑19 underscores the important role of clinical ethics committees in Africa

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMoodley, Keymanthrien_ZA
dc.contributor.authorKabanda, Siti Mukaumbyaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorKleinsmidt, Anitaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorObasa, Adetayo Emmanuelen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-27T07:33:07Z
dc.date.available2021-10-27T07:33:07Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.descriptionCITATION: Moodley, K., et al. 2021. COVID‑19 underscores the important role of Clinical Ethics Committees in Africa. BMC Medical Ethics, 22:131, doi:10.1186/s12910-021-00696-2.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com
dc.descriptionPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
dc.description.abstractBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified pre-existing challenges in healthcare in Africa. Long-standing health inequities, embedded in the continent over centuries, have been laid bare and have raised complex ethical dilemmas. While there are very few clinical ethics committees (CECs) in Africa, the demand for such services exists and has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The views of African healthcare professionals or bioethicists on the role of CECs in Africa have not been explored or documented previously. In this study, we aim to explore such perspectives, as well as the challenges preventing the establishment of CECs in Africa. Methods: Twenty healthcare professionals and bioethicists from Africa participated in this qualitative study that utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Themes were identified through thematic analysis of interviews and open-ended responses. Results: Kenya and South Africa are the only countries on the continent with formal established CECs. The following themes emerged from this qualitative study: (1) Lack of formal CECs and resolution of ethical dilemmas; (2) Role of CECs during COVID-19; (3) Ethical dilemmas presented to CECs pre-COVID-19; (4) Lack of awareness of CECs; (5) Lack of qualified bioethicists or clinical ethicists; (6) Limited resources to establish CECs; (7) Creating interest in CECs and networking. Conclusions: This study illustrates the importance of clinical ethics education among African HCPs and bioethicists, more so now when COVID-19 has posed a host of clinical and ethical challenges to public and private healthcare systems. The challenges and barriers identified will inform the establishment of CECs or clinical ethics consultation services (CESs) in the region. The study results have triggered an idea for the creation of a network of African CECs.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12910-021-00696-2
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent9 pages
dc.identifier.citationMoodley, K., et al. 2021. COVID‑19 underscores the important role of Clinical Ethics Committees in Africa. BMC Medical Ethics, 22:131, doi:10.1186/s12910-021-00696-2
dc.identifier.issn1472-6939 (online)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1186/s12910-021-00696-2
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/123319
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherBioMed Central
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectMedical ethics committees -- Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectBioethicists -- Attitudes -- Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectMedical personnel -- Attitudes -- Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectHealth services accessibility -- Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectCOVID-19 (Disease) -- Social aspectsen_ZA
dc.titleCOVID‑19 underscores the important role of clinical ethics committees in Africaen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
moodley_covid_2021.pdf
Size:
829.2 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download article
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Research Articles (Centre for Medical Ethics and Law)