UPDATE: CBS Working Group on 
Working Conditions for Bioethics (December 2003)

From Co-Chairs: Paula Chidwick, Chris MacDonald

Over the past year a group of CBS members has continued working on different aspects of the Working Conditions for Bioethicists Project.

We met several times over the year via teleconference. This year the focus has been on concrete resources for Bioethicists including a draft contract, dispute resolution models, a qualitative study of conflicts of interest among Bioethicists and peer support group. The work is on going and this report will serve to update everyone in some detail and also give the opportunity for other members to comment and provide feedback on these on going projects. We encourage members of the CBS to contact any member of the group to provide feedback now or at a future time.

1. Qualitative Study of Conflicts of Interest Among Bioethicists. This study is being conducted by Andrea Frolic and Paula Chidwick. The purpose of this study is to collect stories from Bioethicists in Canada who have experienced conflicts of interest with their institutions. This collection and analysis will result in paradigmatic cases. These cases will enhance our understanding of the conceptualisation of the roles of Bioethicists in institutions and the professionalization of the field. Currently, the data collection is on going. Please contact Paula Chidwick or Andrea Frolic if you would like further information or comments.

2. Chris MacDonald is in the midst of gathering & assessing various models of workplace dispute resolution. The hope is that we can adapt or adopt one or more such models as means of responding to conflict between Ethics Consultants and employer institutions when it arises. This project is on ñ going. For further information contact Chris MacDonald.

3. Eoin Connolly, Dawn Oosterhoff and Paula Chidwick are finalising a draft contract and will be meeting with the working group members for feedback. The draft contract containing some of the essential feature needed will then be circulated and posted on the CBS Website for general feedback from the CBS membership. After revision are made it will be reposted so that all interested parties may have access to the model contract.

4. Laurie Hardingham and George Webster are working on a framework for a system of peer support. We know that a number of Bioethicists in Canada and the United States have, as a consequence of taking a particular position or stand on a controversial issue or question, found themselves in extremely difficult situations with other colleagues, their university, or with the organization that employs them. We are hoping to identify and establish a peer support (assistance/mentorship) group for bioethicists.

With this in mind, we are asking our bioethics colleagues to think about:

ï Firstly, the general idea of a Peer Support structure or process for our bioethics community. If you think this is a good idea or have some suggestions about how to assist with setting up this kind of network, we would appreciate hearing from you. You do not have to be an ethicist to assist with the Peer Support program.

ï Secondly, whether or not you would be willing to serve as a Peer Support to assist your colleagues. We would ask that you please identify yourself and identify those areas where you think you could serve as a helpful resource for other bioethicists or professional colleagues. A list of areas where one's expertise might be helpful could include relevant work experience(s), writing or publications, or current research interests. If you are interested in letting your name stand as a peer support person who could be contacted by a colleague seeking assistance or support in a particular area, your name, areas of expertise and contact information would be included in a roster of people who have agreed to serve in this capacity.

We would be pleased to receive your support for this project. We very much welcome any suggestions you might have about how best to establish a Peer Support process and to set up a roster that could be accessed by colleagues in need of support or assistance.
Please contact:
Laurie Hardingham (LAURIE.HARDINGHAM@SJHC.LONDON.ON.CA OR (519) 646-6100, EXT.42251) or George C. Webster (GWEBSTER@sbgh.mb.ca)
 

The current members of this group are Paula Chidwick (co-chair), Chris MacDonald (co-chair), Eoin Connolly, Andrea Frolic, Laurie Hardingham, Christine Harrison, Pat Murphy, Paddy Rodney, and George Webster.