International Conference on Clinical Ethics & Consultation (ICCEC)

The 17th edition of the International Conference on Clinical Ethics & Consultation (ICCEC) was held in Rome, Italy, from June 7 to June 10, 2023, at the “A. Gemelli” School of Medicine of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. This conference has consistently been a gathering point for clinical ethicists, healthcare professionals, decision-makers, and scholars worldwide, addressing crucial topics surrounding the practical and theoretical aspects of clinical ethics. The ICCEC 2023 event was no different, tackling the theme: “Clinical Ethics: Consultation and/or Education?”

The Importance of Clinical Ethics in Modern Healthcare

In recent years, clinical ethics has evolved into a specialized and essential component of healthcare, especially with the growing complexity of medical technology, diverse patient populations, and ethical dilemmas. Clinical ethics involves addressing moral and ethical issues that arise in healthcare settings, often requiring a nuanced balance between medical expertise and moral reasoning. Clinical ethics consultations (CECs) serve to mediate these conflicts, offering ethical guidance in cases such as end-of-life decisions, patient autonomy, consent, and conflicts between patient care priorities and institutional policies. Visit iccec2023.org.

However, as highlighted by ICCEC 2023, the role of CECs has its challenges. One major issue discussed during the conference was that CECs sometimes lack comprehensive training or clear ethical reference points. Without proper education, consultations may fall short of the high ethical standards required in medical decision-making. This dilemma is exacerbated when CECs are seen only as the application of academic knowledge, disconnected from the realities of the clinical environment, where the emotional, social, and legal complexities of patient care need to be managed. ICCEC 2023 provided a platform to discuss how to address this gap between theory and practice.

Conference Themes and Topics

The overarching theme of ICCEC 2023, “Consultation and/or Education,” was designed to spark critical discussions around the intersection of education in clinical ethics and its practical applications during consultations. The conference tackled multiple sub-themes and topics, each focusing on different aspects of clinical ethics consultation, including:

The Role of Clinical Ethics in the Pandemic/Post-Pandemic Era: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed numerous ethical challenges, particularly in areas such as resource allocation, telemedicine, and patient care prioritization. Ethical dilemmas regarding the allocation of limited ventilators, the strain on healthcare workers, and the impact of lockdowns on vulnerable populations were some of the critical points of discussion during ICCEC 2023. Post-pandemic, many of these issues continue to persist, with ethical guidelines needed for navigating a world still reeling from the aftermath of the crisis.
Counseling and/or Consultation in Clinical Ethics: Counseling and consultation play different roles in healthcare ethics. While consultation tends to be more formal and structured, offering solutions or ethical advice, counseling may focus more on guiding individuals or teams through moral reasoning processes. ICCEC 2023 addressed how these two approaches could work in tandem, improving decision-making processes in hospitals and clinics.
Quality of Clinical Ethics Consultation Services: Ensuring that clinical ethics consultations meet a high standard of quality is a challenge. The conference touched on topics such as the standardization of consultation practices and the ethical frameworks guiding consultants. Ethical practices in diverse medical fields were analyzed to see how clinical ethics consultants can contribute to high-quality, patient-centered care.
Clinical Ethics and Telemedicine: The rise of telemedicine, accelerated by the pandemic, has brought about new ethical concerns. Issues of patient privacy, informed consent, and the digital divide (where access to telemedicine may not be equal across populations) were key points of discussion. The role of clinical ethics in guiding telemedicine practices, particularly in vulnerable populations, was a major focus during ICCEC 2023.
Data Protection and Ethical Codes for Clinical Ethics Consultation Experts: As patient data becomes increasingly digitized, the intersection of clinical ethics and data protection is more critical than ever. ICCEC 2023 included discussions on how ethical codes should evolve to address the challenges of data privacy, especially when sensitive medical information is shared across digital platforms. Clinical ethics consultation experts were urged to stay abreast of data protection laws and technologies to safeguard patient confidentiality.

Keynote Speakers and Committees

ICCEC 2023 gathered prominent figures in the field of clinical ethics from around the world, providing diverse perspectives and fostering a rich environment for dialogue. The conference’s International Scientific Committee was composed of respected academics and professionals, including:

Georg Agich, Founding Co-Director of ICCEC, who has been instrumental in shaping the dialogue around clinical ethics globally.
Stella Reiter-Theil, another Founding Co-Director of ICCEC, known for her work in integrating ethics into medical practice.
Antonio G. Spagnolo, Conference Director for ICCEC 2023 and an expert in bioethics from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome.

The involvement of these leading experts underlined the global significance of the issues being discussed and ensured that the conversations had both depth and practical relevance. They brought their experience to bear on questions that not only affect academic ethics discussions but also impact real-life clinical decisions that doctors, nurses, and healthcare teams face daily.

Opportunities for Participants

ICCEC 2023 was not only a conference for established clinical ethicists but also a welcoming environment for emerging scholars and practitioners. One of the key features was the opportunity for participants to submit abstracts on various sub-topics related to clinical ethics. This initiative allowed a broader range of voices and ideas to be part of the conversation, fostering innovation and inclusion in the field. Abstracts were reviewed based on their contribution to the conference topics, scientific methodology, and originality.

The event also offered attendees a chance to network with peers, discuss the latest advancements in the field, and participate in workshops aimed at improving consultation practices. Given the emphasis on clinical ethics education, ICCEC 2023 was a valuable learning experience, not just for academic participants but also for healthcare providers seeking practical solutions to ethical issues in their daily work.

The Future of Clinical Ethics

ICCEC 2023 was pivotal in advancing discussions on how clinical ethics consultations should evolve to meet the demands of modern healthcare. The dialogue around consultation and education will undoubtedly continue, especially as the healthcare landscape changes with technological advancements, evolving patient needs, and global health crises. The conference highlighted the importance of ongoing education and training for clinical ethicists, as well as the need to ensure that ethical consultations are grounded in real-world applications, providing value to patients and healthcare teams alike.

As clinical ethics continues to grow in importance, ICCEC serves as a beacon for those involved in the field, offering a platform to exchange ideas, address challenges, and shape the future of ethical practice in healthcare.