WORKSHOP Thursday, May 25, 11:00-12:30
Research Questions in Clinical Ethics of CAM in Children
Speakers: Ran Goldman, MD, Christine Harrison, PhD, Sunita
Vohra, MD
There are many relevant ethical considerations
in the field of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. This is especially
true when treatment is given to children by their caregivers.
This workshop will involve an interactive discussion
between the presenters and participants on clinical ethical considerations
in Complementary and Integrative Medicine research.
In this case-based workshop we will present
findings from a utilization study recently finished in Toronto that
included interviews with 1,800 families of patients arriving at the
emergency department for care of their children. The study was specifically
designed to address utilization issues in CAM use, and several questions
related to ethical considerations in pediatric CAM use.
The case scenarios will be taken from the interviews
that were conducted, and will be used to:
1. Focus discussion on questions in the ethics
of research and clinical use of CAM
2. Provide participants with a framework for addressing these and related
questions,
3. Encourage participants to bring forward and discuss their own questions
and dilemmas.
Following are examples of cases that will be
presented:
Involvement of children in the decision to utilize
CAM practices and natural health products. Decisions about vaccination
of children with relation to CAM use. Communication challenges between
the child, parents and community health providers. Maximizing trust
(therapeutic relationships) while minimizing harm
Both clinicians and researchers will find this
interactive workshop useful and the open discussion fruitful for future
research endeavors.