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Ethics Symposium 2024 "Ethics, Disabilities and Healthcare"
Providing attendees with an opportunity to learn from national and local experts about pressing medical ethics issues, the Center’s annual Medical Ethics Conference features morning plenary lectures and afternoon concurrent sessions. It is designed for clinicians and researchers, health policy analysts, lawyers, clergy, clinical ethicists, bioethicists, disability studies scholars, patient and disability rights advocates, community members, and students of the health and social sciences and the humanities.
Learning Objectives
Following the conference, participants should be able to:
1. Recognize different causes of disability and the impact of disability on patients’ healthcare seeking, healthcare interactions, provision of acute and chronic healthcare, and quality of life.
2. Employ terminology and communication skills that are respectful of patients with disabilities (and their families) and that include them in their own healthcare and healthcare decision making to the degree they desire.
3. Combat stigma, discrimination, and self-stigmatization associated with disability to provide effective, quality of life enhancing healthcare.
4. Employ ethical frameworks in healthcare decision making, determination of decisional capacity, end-of-life and beginning-of-life care, and care for emergency, acute, and chronic conditions.
Additional Information
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Friday, April 12, 2024 | 8:00 am – 3:30 pm | Breakfast @ 7:30
Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center
700 Cumberland Woods Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE | |
7:30 – 8:00 am | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
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8:00 – 8:15 am | Improving Healthcare for People with Disabilities: Bringing Bioethics and Disability Studies into Dialogue Lisa S. Parker, PhD Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Professor of Bioethics Director, Center for Bioethics & Health Law University of Pittsburgh |
Abstract: People with disabilities face particular challenges in obtaining healthcare. Moreover, healthcare providers often feel less well-equipped to meet the needs of their patients with disabilities. At the same time, bioethicists and disability rights advocates—and the fields of bioethics and disability studies—have sometimes had an uneasy intellectual and political relationship. This brief introduction to the conference will mark those tensions and challenges while outlining the path forward the conference intends to forge.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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8:15 – 9:15 am
Keynote Lecture | Justice for All? Bioethics in Medical Prognostication, Ableism, and the Disability Paradox Amanda K. Booher, PhD Bioethicist, Summa Health |
Abstract: This talk will primarily consider the bioethical principle of justice in relation to disability and medical prognostication. It will explore the concepts of "disability paradox" and the bias of ableism, as well as how these affect both medical personnel and patients and families. Additionally, the talk will address steps we as members of the medical community might take to confront these biases in ourselves to help best support patients and families.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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9:15 – 9:30 am | Break |
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9:30 – 10:45 am
Ira R. Messer Lecture | Ethical, Legal, and Social Challenges for Neurodivergent Adults in our Communities: Shifting to a Supported Engagement Model Nanette Elster, JD, MPH Associate Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Kayhan Parsi, JD, PhD Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine |
Abstract: In our 2022 co-edited book, Transitioning to Adulthood with Autism: Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (Springer), we examined a number of salient issues related to autistic adolescents transitioning to adulthood. In our next co-edited volume, we plan to examine a number of new issues facing autistic adults, such as housing, self-care, advocacy, spirituality, oral health, and masking. This talk will preview a new model called “supported engagement” through which we will examine these topics.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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10:45 am – noon
| Panel: Medical Decision Making on the Spectrum David Kappel, MD Deputy State Medical Director for Trauma WV Office of Emergency Medical Services
Joann Migyanka, DEd Professor Emeritus of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Andrew Nelson, EdD Senior Director Autism Response Team at Autism Speaks Autism Community Consultants
Valerie Violi Satkoske, PhD, MSW VP of Mission Effectiveness, Spiritual Care, & Ethics / UPMC Mercy VP of Ethics UPMC |
Abstract: Adults on the autism spectrum are often assumed to lack the capacity to make medical decisions for themselves and others. In some cases, these assumptions are based upon the autism diagnosis/label alone. In others, it is based upon how the disorder manifests, especially when it affects communication and emotional response. During this presentation, we will share recommendations to improve communication between medical professionals and autistic adults when engaging in advance care planning and surrogate decision making conversations.
Following this panel, participants should be able to:
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Noon – 12:40 pm | Lunch |
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A Crosswalk of Common Ethical Challenges in Substance Use Disorder Treatment & Disability Ethics Todd Harvey, MSN, RN, CARN Programmatic Nurse Specialist, Addiction Medicine | |
Abstract: In the treatment of patients living with substance use disorders (SUDs), clinicians often confront a variety of unique ethical issues for which they must account, within themselves and within the broader healthcare system. One significant factor, stigma, both for SUDs and disabilities, limits the overall beneficence of receiving treatment due to unaddressed clinician biases or gaps in knowledge. This presentation will discuss how stigma manifests in treatment settings while highlighting action individuals can take to improve the treatment of both SUD and patients with disabilities.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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1:30 – 1:45 pm | Break |
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Plenary Lecture | Barriers to Effective Healthcare for Disabled People: Signs of Progress in Medicine and Law Mary Crossley, JD Interim Dean, Professor of Law, John A. Murray Faculty Scholar University of Pittsburgh |
Abstract: More than three decades after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons with disabilities continue to face substantial physical, attitudinal, and knowledge barriers to the receipt of effective healthcare. These barriers contribute to inequitable health disparities for disabled people. Currently, however, promising efforts to address these barriers are emerging in medical, public health, and legal fields.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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Disability Related Accommodations in Healthcare Chatón T. Turner, Esq. Senior Associate Counsel and Vice President Risk Management/Disabilities Services UPMC
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Abstract: This presentation will discuss the requirements that healthcare facilities must satisfy in order to comply with applicable civil rights laws intended to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy equal access to their services. There will be practical examples from one of the leading integrated delivery and financing systems in the country.
Following this presentation, participants should be able to:
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3:30 pm | Conference Adjournment |
COURSE DIRECTORS
Lisa S. Parker, PhD
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Professor of Bioethics
Director, Center for Bioethics & Health Law
University of Pittsburgh
Valerie Violi Satkoske, PhD, MSW
VP of Mission Effectiveness, Spiritual Care, & Ethics / UPMC Mercy
VP of Ethics UPMC
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Mary Crossley, JD
Interim Dean, Professor of Law, John A. Murray Faculty Scholar
University of Pittsburgh
Stephanie Eckstrom, MSW
MSW Regional Program
Director, Pitt-Bradford MSW Program
University of Pittsburgh
Jonathan Fuller, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of History and Philosophy of Science
University of Pittsburgh
Pam Kusserow, LCSW
Director Clinical Care Coordination
Maria Felton Lowry, PharmD
Assistant Professor Pharmacy
University of Pittsburgh
Richard Morycz, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Social Work
University of Pittsburgh
Marcia Lee Nilsen, RN, PhD
Assistant Professor of Acute & Tertiary Care
School of Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
Anthony Savannah
CEO President Passavant Hospital Foundation
Dan Sullivan, MD
Chairman, Passavant Hospital Foundation
Sandy Treser, MSN, RN
Programmatic Nurse Specialist CV services
UPMC Passavant
Daniel Wilkenfeld, PhD
Assistant Professor of Acute & Tertiary Care
School of Nursing
University of Pittsburgh
Ira R. Messer Lecture:
Ethical, Legal, and Social Challenges for Neurodivergent Adults in our Communities:
Shifting to a Supported Engagement Model
Nanette Elster, JD, MPH
Associate Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
&
Kayhan Parsi, JD, PhD
Professor, Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Keynote Lecture:
Justice for All? Bioethics in Medical Prognostication, Ableism, and the Disability Paradox
Amanda K. Booher, PhD
Bioethicist, Summa Health
Plenary Lecture:
Barriers to Effective Healthcare for Disabled People: Signs of Progress in Medicine and Law
Mary Crossley, JD
Interim Dean, Professor of Law, John A. Murray Faculty Scholar
University of Pittsburgh
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 6.25 contact hours.
Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 6.25 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.
Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 6.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Social Work
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 6.25 continuing education credits.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
This program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 6 hours of substantive credit.
Available Credit
- 6.25 AAPA Category I CME
- 6.25 ACPE PharmacyThe UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
- 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 6.25 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 6.25 ASWB
- 6.25 Attendance
For more information, please contact Lisa Parker by email at lisap@pitt.edu.