The ethics of health sciences academics intervening in students with suspected psychiatric illness in South Africa
Date
2021
Authors
Sujee, Nabeela
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Abstract
Psychiatric illness has become a major topic of concern in the university
setting. Therehave been numerous calls for academics to intervene and
address the rise of psychiatric illness amongst the students. It is
imperative that interventions are normatively analysed so as to ensure
they are ethically justified. This research focuses on health science
academics’ role and how their roles and responsibilities are associated
with the call to intervene when a student is suspected to have psychiatric
illness. I will argue that it is ethically unjustifiable for health sciences
academics to intervene when they suspect a student to have psychiatric
illness. I argue that direct or indirect interventions take a paternalistic
approach, which is ethically unjustifiable as the student is an autonomous
individual capable of rational decision making. Secondly, interventions
are not within the role and expected responsibilities of the health sciences
academic.
I will explore the consequences that interventions may have on the student
and healthsciences academic, and their relationship. I argue that the
negative outcomes outweigh the positive outcomes which further support
my argument that it is ethically unjustifiable for a health sciences
academic to intervene when they suspect a studenthas psychiatric illness.
Finally, I propose that the academic still has a duty of care for the student
and this dutyof care can assist the academic in supporting students with
suspected psychiatric illness in an ethically justified manner
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Science in Medicine (Bioethics and Health Law) to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021