FK-KMK UGM. The Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (CBMH FK-KMK UGM), in collaboration with Dr. Sardjito General Hospital and Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC), successfully held a webinar titled “Clinical Ethics Support: Digital Clinical Ethics Support (CES): Joint Moral Learning in a Hierarchical Context,” on Tuesday (15/10).
The online event featured three renowned bioethics practitioners: A/Prof Margreet Stolper and Bert Molewijk from UMC, and Dr. dr. M. Rosadi Seswandhana, Sp.B., Sp.BP-RE(K), who shared their insights on the importance of clinical ethics in healthcare, particularly when dealing with moral dilemmas in patient care.
“Literacy and skills in managing clinical ethical dilemmas are crucial to the credibility of the medical profession and the sustainability of healthcare services,” explained A/Prof Margreet.
The webinar provided a platform for healthcare professionals to understand and develop skills in applying clinical ethics in medical practice and hospital governance. A/Prof Margreet emphasized that clinical ethics are essential for doctors, especially when making decisions that involve patient autonomy, confidentiality, and navigating complex situations such as end-of-life care or the use of cutting-edge medical technology.
“In many cases, doctors are faced with decisions that are not solely based on medical standards but also involve moral values and patient preferences,” she added.
Moreover, the application of clinical ethics serves as a critical tool for hospitals to ensure fair, transparent, and patient-centered care. It is directly linked to improving the quality of services and the reputation of healthcare institutions. The webinar also highlighted the importance of digital ethics support, fostering moral collaboration among various parties within the healthcare hierarchy.
As technology rapidly evolves, new challenges emerge, particularly regarding the use of medical technology and the digital management of patient information. The discussion also explored the concept of “Joint Moral Learning,” a framework for addressing ethical dilemmas in hierarchical environments. This approach emphasizes collaboration among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to make decisions grounded in strong moral principles.
As challenges in healthcare increase, the proper application of clinical ethics becomes a key factor in maintaining the quality of care and the professional integrity of medical practitioners. The webinar demonstrated how collaboration between academia, healthcare practitioners, and institutions can create better solutions for a more ethical future in healthcare, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter:Image source/freepik.com).
