Abstract

NAUDE, Alida  and  BORNMAN, Juan. Ethical sensitivity of practising audiologists. Tydskr. geesteswet. [online]. 2017, vol.57, n.2-2, pp.501-520. ISSN 2224-7912.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2224-7912/2017/v57n2-2a2.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: An understanding of the client, his/her needs, emotions and circumstances is fundamental to an effective therapeutic relationship. This holistic focus on the therapeutic relationship and service excellence constitutes, together with ethical sensitivity, the building blocks for effective and competent practice. The Measuring Instrument for Ethical Sensitivity in the Therapeutic Sciences (MIEST) is the first multidisciplinary measuring instrument to describe the ethical sensitivity of audiologists and other therapists. In an era where therapists are daily confronted with ethical decision making, it is important to determine the different levels of skill related to ethical sensitivity. The data obtained by means of the MIEST can provide guidance through workshops and professional development programmes. Ethical sensitivity is the first step in the framework of ethical behaviour and for that reason forms the foundation of this research. AIM: To investigate the ethical sensitivity of practising audiologists in terms of defined principles and skills. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative research design using an existing measuring instrument was applied. Fifty participants completed the MIEST measuring instrument. Data collection was managed electronically and the data was quantitatively analysed using parametric and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The mean score for the practising audiologists was 65%, which places this group of participants in the developing phase of ethical sensitivity. The highest level of ethical sensitivity related to the principle of justice and the skill emotional expression. The study identified a need to further develop the ethical sensitivity of audiologists, especially with regard to non-maleficence, controlling social bias and the interpretation of situations.

Keywords : Audiologist; Autonomy; Beneficence; Decision Making; Ethical Principle; Ethical Sensitivity; Justice; Non-maleficence; Perspective taking.

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