hi Sue
I think the issue here is around the position of the researcher who has
promised confidentiality as part of the research process and so may come
into conflict regarding ethical obligations. I found Penny's reply very
helpful.
When I have encountered comparable problems in research I have tried to
deal with them (according to the situation or issue uncovered) by
discussion with the person concerned and encouraging them to talk to an
appropriate person themselves (if a questionnaire this could be by phone
perhaps, if not anonymous) or by reporting the issue in a way that
protects individual confidentiality but should ensure that the service
or manager seeks to address the problem by examining that area of
practice in a reflective way. i have been faced by managers asking me to
identify the person (in my case a user complaining ofbad practice) so
that they 'can put the problem right' and I have suggested that they
look instead at the reasons why the problem has occurred in their
service, rather than just focusing on the individual.
Perhaps a useful analogy for the researcher's role is that of a priest -
the ability of a parishioner to confess something depends on an
appropriate relationship of trust and confidentiality, and one hopes
this is a moral position because the confessant may be encouraged to
change their behaviour, behaviour which would not be uncovered without
such a relationship.
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research. on behalf of Sue Lennox
Sent: Fri 29-Sep-06 12:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: unsafe practice
Hello Deborah,
I am interested in your question because I am exploring mentoring as a
doctoral candidate. In New Zealand, mentoring refers to support for
graduates rather than undergraduates and my project is with new graduate
midwives. I had just put down an article written by Marion Drazek in the
Practising Midwife, September 2005 when I read your email.
My understanding from the article was that the NMC has criteria forming
the
basis for referring a practitioner for lack of competence. This lists
three
categories for referring a practitioner: the person is considered unfit
to
practice safely and effectively, concerns have been drawn to her or his
attention, supervision or further training has not been effective.
Therefore I understood that supervisors were the people to whom concerns
such as yours were taken, and that the practitioner of concern was
supported
to address competency shortfalls. Is this case from your experience or
am I
misunderstanding the role of a supervisor and the idea of a supervised
practice programme? Very interested to understand the UK systems
approach to
issues of competence,
Kind regards,
Sue Lennox
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deborah Caine
Sent: Friday, 29 September 2006 9:17 a.m.
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: unsafe practice
Dear All, is anyone aware of any guidance about dealing with unsafe
practice
that has been unearthed in questionnaire research? I am at the proposal
stage.
Thanks
Deborah
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