scholarly journals Dogs as Therapeutic Partners, Not Therapeutic Tools: Ethical Considerations for AAT in the Correctional Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 432
Author(s):  
Kimberly Collica-Cox ◽  
George J. Day
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Correctional Setting ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
National Model ◽  
Human Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Although the benefits of animal assisted therapy for people are well established, the ethical considerations for the welfare and safety of the non-human animals involved are not. Without an accrediting body responsible for creating and overseeing national standards, therapy animal organizations are forced to create their own guidelines, creating inconsistencies within the field. Based on interviews conducted with therapy teams who have worked with Parenting, Prison & Pups (PPP), a parenting program provided to incarcerated jailed women that is integrated with the use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), this article explores the extent of ethics training offered for AAT teams and will examine how agencies and handlers promote and ensure the safety of canine partners, especially in a correctional setting. The research suggests that specific protocols put forth by individual AAT organizations, which can provide for a national model, can afford for the safety and comfortability of canine partners, especially in a corrections environment, but implies that in order to maintain consistency and increase therapy team professionalism, national standards are a necessity. Guidelines are specifically essential for mental health professionals, who lack guidelines from their own accrediting bodies’ code of ethics, and may incorporate non-human therapy partners into their work settings, without proper supervision.

scholarly journals Analysis of graduating nursing students’ moral courage in six European countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 096973302095637
Author(s):  
Sanna Koskinen ◽  
Elina Pajakoski ◽  
Pilar Fuster ◽  
Brynja Ingadottir ◽  
Eliisa Löyttyniemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Ethics Education ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Moral Courage ◽  
National Standards ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Moral courage is defined as courage to act according to one’s own ethical values and principles even at the risk of negative consequences for the individual. In a complex nursing practice, ethical considerations are integral. Moral courage is needed throughout nurses’ career. Aim: To analyse graduating nursing students’ moral courage and the factors associated with it in six European countries. Research design: A cross-sectional design, using a structured questionnaire, as part of a larger international ProCompNurse study. In the questionnaire, moral courage was assessed with a single question (visual analogue scale 0–100), the questionnaire also covered several background variables. Participants and research context: The sample comprised graduating nursing students (n = 1796) from all participating countries. To get a comprehensive view about graduating nursing students’ moral courage, the views of nurse managers (n = 538) and patients (n = 1327) from the same units in which the graduating nursing students practised were also explored, with parallel questionnaires. Ethical considerations: Ethical approvals and research permissions were obtained according to national standards in every country and all participants gave their informed consent. Results: The mean of graduating nursing students’ self-assessed moral courage was 77.8 (standard deviation 17.0; on a 0–100 scale), with statistically significant differences between countries. Higher moral courage was associated with many factors, especially the level of professional competence. The managers assessed the graduating nursing students’ moral courage lower (66.5; standard deviation 18.4) and the patients slightly higher (80.6; standard deviation 19.4) than the graduating nursing students themselves. Discussion and conclusions: In all countries, the graduating nursing students’ moral courage was assessed as rather high, with differences between countries and populations. These differences and associations between moral courage and ethics education require further research.

Validity of the Italian Code of Ethics for everyday nursing practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 906-917
Author(s):  
Paola Gobbi ◽  
Maria Grazia Castoldi ◽  
Rosa Anna Alagna ◽  
Anna Brunoldi ◽  
Chiara Pari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Clinical Competencies ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Specific Theme

Background: The research question for this study was as follows: Is the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Italy (Code) a valid or useful decision-making instrument for nurses faced with ethical problems in their daily clinical practice? Method: Focus groups were conducted to analyze specific ethical problems through 11 case studies. The analysis was conducted using sections of the Code as well as other relevant documents. Each focus group had a specific theme and nurses participated freely in the discussions according to their respective clinical competencies. Ethical considerations: The executive administrative committee of the local nursing licensing council provided approval for conducting this project. Measures were taken to protect the confidentiality of consenting participants. Findings: The answer to the research question posed for this investigation was predominantly positive. Many sections of the Code were useful for discussion and identifying possible solutions for the ethical problems presented in the 11 cases. Conclusion: We concluded that the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Italy can be a valuable aid in daily practice in most clinical situations that can give rise to ethical problems.

Ethical problems in nursing management

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Aitamaa ◽  
Helena Leino-Kilpi ◽  
Silja Iltanen ◽  
Riitta Suhonen
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Managers ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Nursing Management ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
New Information ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Organization Ethics

Background: Nurse managers have responsibilities relating to the quality of care, the welfare of the staff and running of the organization. Ethics plays significant role in these responsibilities. Ethical problems are part of daily management, but research in this area is limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and describe ethical problems nurse managers encounter in their work to get more detailed and extensive view of these problems. Methods: The data consisted of nine interviews with nurse managers at different management levels in primary healthcare and specialized healthcare organizations, and it was analysed by inductive content analysis. Ethical considerations: Permission to conduct the interviews including ethical approval was given at all participating organizations according to national standards. The respondents were informed about the aim of the study, and voluntary participation, anonymous response and confidentiality were explained to them. Findings: Four main categories were found: conflicts in practical situations, lack of appreciation, disregard of problems and experienced inadequacy. Problems could also be divided to patient-related, staff-related, organization-related and other problems. Discussion: The findings correspond with results from earlier studies but add knowledge of the nature and details of nurse managers’ ethical problems. New information is produced related to the ethical problems with nurse managers’ own courage, motivation and values. Conclusion: Nurse managers identified a variety of different ethical problems in their work. This information is useful in the development of ethics in nursing management. Further research about the frequency and intensity of nurse managers’ ethical problems is needed as well as possible differences in different levels of management.

Legal and Ethical Considerations of Whistleblowing for Engineers

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas L. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Ethics Codes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Ethical Codes ◽  
Ethical Duty ◽  
Professional Societies ◽  
Asme Code ◽  
Practical Implications

According to the ethical codes of many engineering professional societies, engineers have an ethical duty to the public. For example, the ASME Code of Ethics states that engineers “shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.” Licensed engineers (PE’s) have additional legal duties to the public imposed by state licensing agencies. Engineering regulations and ethics codes have been interpreted by many to include the duty to report illegal or unsafe conditions to governmental authorities. This paper investigates whistleblowing as it relates to engineers. This troublesome topic is investigated considering the ethical, legal, and practical implications for engineers who blow the whistle.

Ethical Considerations for Psychophysiology Studies

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Roger A. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Psychology Research ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Research Guidelines ◽  
British Psychological Society ◽  
The Uk

All psychology research should strictly adhere to ethical principles outlined by the researcher's local governing body. In the UK, this is the British Psychological Society (BPS). However, in papers advising on methodology used in psychophysiology (a research area within psychology), issues linked to ethics are rarely mentioned despite the invasive nature of this type of research. Guidelines published by local governing bodies are never mentioned. In this paper, important ethical issues in psychophysiology research are discussed with respect to BPS guidelines. Recommendations are made for ensuring ethical practice when conducting psychophysiology research. This paper is intended for those new to psychophysiology research (postgraduate and undergraduate students) and should be read in conjunction with the BPS ‘Code of ethics and conduct’.

The Double Standard of Accountability: A Call for Treatment Integrity of IPV Offender Programs

Partner Abuse ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. PA-D-20-00005
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Treatment Integrity ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Batterer Intervention ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Batterer Intervention Programs

In this study, we explain the importance of treatment integrity by listing and exploring state standards for service providers of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrator programs across the United States. The overall expectations of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) will be discussed as we compare and contrast the Duluth Model with evidence-based practice. Expectations of treatment efficacy will be explored from the stance of the professional code of ethics and ethical practice. The context for this article is inspired by the following issues: (a) mental health professionals’ ethical obligations to clients and to standards of practice; (b) the value of treatment integrity; (c) expectations regarding program efficacy; (d) the nature of court-mandated batterer intervention programs. Potential ethical concerns that are explored include: failure to consider and utilize research evidence, failure to ensure treatment integrity, inadequate assessment/diagnosis, failure to connect assessment to treatment, using a diagnosis on a client not identified in the DSM–V, giving a diagnosis without proper credentials or evaluation of the client, and imploring a homogeneous approach to a complex behavior.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport Programs as Effective Therapeutic Tools in Psychosocial Rehabilitation

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Sancassiani ◽  
Sergio Machado ◽  
Antonio Preti
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Secondary Effects ◽  
Somatic Comorbidities ◽  
Therapeutic Tools ◽  
The Impact

People with severe psychosocial disabilities have a 20-years shorter lifespan due to chronic somatic comorbidities and the long-term consequences of the side-effects of antipsychotic drugs.They often are sedentary and show lower levels of physical activity, factors which can contribute to their shorter lifespan, because of the greater cardiovascular risk.An increasing amount of evidence, including clinical trials, pointed out that sport, physical activity and structured exercise programs improve physical and psychological wellbeing of people with psychosocial disabilities, playing also an important role against their social isolation and self-stigma.The NICE and APA guidelines include exercise and physical activity for the management of depressive symptoms.Safe and effective programs require multidisciplinary teams that should always include mental health professionals, able to recognize the psychosocial needs, the impact of symptomatology, the role of secondary effects of psychotropic medication, the effect of previous exercise history, the lack of motivation, the inexperience with effort intensity and the frustration of people with psychosocial disabilities.

Considerations When Writing and Presenting Consent Forms for Clients

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Gene Ann Behrens
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
American Music ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Ethical Research ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Conducting Research

Abstract While the writing and presentation of most general consent forms can be accomplished using a checklist of what to include and say, different nuances and considerations enter the process when the participants of a research study involve present or past clients who retain their legal rights. This process is even more challenging for student music therapists conducting research as part of a school-related project. While the Belmont Report1 and the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) Code of Ethics (https://www.musictherapy.org/about/ethics/) provide some insights and direction for many ethical research decisions, music therapy researchers also must be aware of their values, morals, and integrity, as well as various ethical considerations. Based on an example scenario, six ethical questions related to writing and presenting a consent form for a past client are discussed along with references to the Belmont Report and AMTA’s Code of Ethics.

scholarly journals Textbook descriptions of people with psychosis – some ethical aspects

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1554-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terje Emil Fredwall ◽  
Inger Beate Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Psychiatric Nursing ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Narrative Imagination ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Moral Performance ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Health Field

Background: Textbooks are central for the education of professionals in the health field and a resource for practitioners already in the field. Objectives: This article focuses on how 12 textbooks in psychiatric nursing and psychiatry, published in Norway between 1877 and 2012, describe and present people with psychosis. Research design: We used qualitative content analysis. Ethical considerations: The topic is published textbooks, made available to be read by students, teachers and professionals, and no ethical approval was required. Findings: The analysis shows that all 12 textbooks describe and present people who are considered as psychotic from a ‘perspective from above’. In this perspective, the readers are learning about psychosis in the professional’s language and from the author’s viewpoint. Most often the textbooks communicate a universal image of people with psychosis, a description that fits with the diagnostic criteria. The analysis also shows that two textbooks in psychiatric nursing combined this perspective with a ‘perspective from within’. Here, the readers are learning about psychosis from the patients’ own viewpoint. The authors communicate a personal, psychotic universe that differs from various people, even if they have the same diagnosis, and the descriptions are focusing on the patient as a whole person. Discussion and conclusion: Drawing partly on Rita Charon’s writings about narrative knowledge in the health field, and partly on insights from Martha Nussbaum and her concept of narrative imagination, we argue that mental health professionals need to learn about, understand and fathom what patients go through by reading, listening to and acknowledging the patients’ own stories and experiences. Cultivating the capacity for empathy and compassion are at the very heart of moral performance in the mental health field. A valuable moral resource in that regard is leading textbooks and how they describe and present people with severe mental illness.

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