The Foundation will fund three new research projects from the Fall 2024 cycle of its Making a Difference in Real-World Bioethics Dilemmas grant program.
The Making a Difference program funds bioethics research projects that seek to resolve current challenges in health care, policy, and research. Grants are awarded twice yearly. Since 2013, the Foundation has funded more than 100 Making a Difference grants supporting bioethics research on a wide array of issues including aid-in-dying, deception in medical contexts, discrimination in health care, and responses to the opioid epidemic, among others.
Psychotropic Medication Decision Making for Youth in Foster Care: Challenges, Barriers, and Facilitators to Informed Consent, Assent, and Refusal
Lauren Baker, PhD (Washington University)
Abstract: In this study, Dr. Baker and the research team aim to examine the challenges, barriers, and facilitators to informed consent, assent, and refusal in treatment decisions regarding psychotropic medications for youth in foster care. Through analysis of state child welfare policies, foster care bills of rights, and qualitative interviews with foster care alumni, case workers, and clinicians, the team will develop a set of best practice and policy recommendations to foster ethical decision-making related to psychotropic medication for foster care youth.
Restorative Processes for Medical Racism: Fostering Accountability and Relational Repair
Crystal Brown, MD (University of Washington)
Abstract: This study aims to assess whether and how processes based on restorative justice should be implemented in healthcare settings in response to medical racism. Dr. Brown and the research team will use surveys and interviews to understand the perspectives of patients and healthcare workers on potential benefits and risks of restorative circles. The team will pilot restorative circles and gain feedback from participants through interviews on intended and unintended consequences of the circles. They will use this data to inform normative analyses of whether and how broader implementation in healthcare should be considered.
Communication and Resolution Programs: Tackling the Critical Unanswered Ethical Questions
Thomas Gallagher, MD (University of Washington)
Abstract: Communication and Resolution Programs (CRPs) respond to harm events in healthcare with transparency and accountability. While CRPs are a best practice, a challenge remains: inconsistent adoption, which increases suffering and diminishes quality. Experts in CRPs, ethics, patient safety, and health law will answer 7 ethics questions that are impairing CRPs. Dr. Gallagher and the research team will assess CRP implementation by reviewing 40 cases, and then conduct 24 interviews and 6 focus groups with key stakeholders that explore values tradeoffs. A normative analysis will seek to determine solutions to be implemented in a national CRP learning community.
