Conference Program

Each person’s identity includes a moral dimension, encompassing the values, character, commitments, and worldview that make each a unique individual. When one becomes a clinician, one’s personal identity must integrate a professional identity that incorporates the norms of one’s profession and the interprofessional team. As clinicians fulfill their role responsibilities over time, they develop a sense of integrity that shapes how they respond to moral adversity. If core moral values are transgressed in their clinical roles, clinicians can develop moral distress, which then threatens their overall well-being. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, inadequate attention to either integrity or well-being can lead to burnout and resignation. The antidote is fostering moral communities of practice where ethical commitments are acknowledged, relational integrity is fostered, and wellness practices are encouraged.

Following this presentation, participants should be able to: (1) describe the relationship between professional integrity and well-being; (2) discuss how relationships within the healthcare team play a critical role in well-being initiatives; and (3) describe how moral resilience skills promote the well-being of clinicians.

Identity and Integrity: The Ethical Foundations to Support Clinician Well-Being Slides

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9:55 – 10:00 am | Break

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10:00 – 10:25 am | Session Two

Not Just Talking about Values, Talking to Save Lives: The Physician Support Line

Mona Masood, DO
Outpatient psychiatrist, Philadelphia, PA
Founder and Chief Organizer of the Physician Support Line

The pandemic not only brought US healthcare’s deep structural problems to the attention of the public, but also brought healthcare workers to the brink—the brink of emotional crisis, mental health breakdown, quitting, and even suicide. Dr. Masood would like to share what we have learned through the Physician Support Line about what needs to be done to improve our healthcare system, attract and retain clinicians, and sustain their compassion and well-being. Through a structured, narrative approach—because she believes sharing our narratives is ethically and emotionally important—she will describe essential ethical goals for the next chapter of American healthcare.

Following this presentation, participants should be able to: (1) analyze the ethical values implemented by the creation of the Physician Support Line (PSL); (2) recognize signs of emotional need and mental health crisis in themselves and others; (3) refer colleagues (or themselves) to identified mental health/emotional support resources; and (4) apply methods of support demonstrated by PSL narratives to support colleagues in healthcare settings.

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10:25 – 11:00 am

Conversation between Dr. Masood and Dr. Hughes

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11:00 am – noon | Session Three | The Ira R. Messer Lecture

Ethical and Policy Issues in Using Psychedelics for Mental Health

Amy L. McGuire, JD, PhD
Leon Jaworski Professor of Biomedical Ethics and Director
Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy
Baylor College of Medicine                 

While the 1970s “War on Drugs” cast psychedelics as a public health threat, researchers and many people struggling with their mental health have long been interested in the potential for psychedelics to improve mood and quality of life. In January of this year, Oregon became the first state to allow adult use of psilocybin. Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is complicated by the political and regulatory landscape, their potential for recreational use, and people’s attempts to “self-medicate” using them. This talk will explore the history, regulatory landscape, and ethical and policy considerations surrounding research on—and prescribing of—psychedelics like psilocybin.

Following this presentation, participants should be able to: (1) enumerate the steps in US social and policy history regarding psychedelics from the 1970s to Oregon’s recent legalization of adult use of psilocybin; (2) analyze ethical and policy/regulatory challenges in conducting research on the use of psychedelics in mental health treatment; and (3) evaluate the ethical issues, practical considerations, and institutional challenges associated with prescribing psychedelics.

Ethical and Policy Issues in Using Psychedelics for Mental Health Slides

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Noon – 1:00 pm | Session Four

Digital Technologies and Mental Health: Risks, Opportunities, and Ethical Challenges

Brian A. Primack, MD, PhD, MS, EdM
Dean and Professor
College of Public Health and Human Sciences
Oregon State University

Digital technologies have provided a metaphorical and occasional literal lifeline for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. To a degree never before witnessed, people depended on them to stay connected and access information (including education for students at all stages). Misinformation has also been spread and relied upon, sometimes with tragic results, to an unparalleled degree in recent years. Social media have been found to have a negative effect on the emotional well-being and mental health of many people, particularly many adolescents and young adults. Yet during the pandemic, mental health apps expanded access to healthcare for many people. This talk will explore these positive and negative developments in the digital domain, and will identify ethical challenges facing attempts to regulate these technologies to promote their beneficial use. Even if Google has removed “don’t be evil” from its Code of Conduct, what ethically justifiable steps can be taken to help ensure that digital technologies don’t do damage to users’ emotional and mental health?

Following this presentation, participants should be able to: (1) describe key findings regarding the use of social media and increases in depression, social isolation, and anxiety; (2) discuss the social context, economic pressures, and ethical challenges in regulating social media to reduce negative effects on mental, emotional, and physical health; and (3) analyze ethical and policy/regulatory challenges with regard to the use of digital technologies for mental health care and emotional support.     

This lecture is co-sponsored by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

 

Digital Technologies and Mental Health: Risks, Opportunities, and Ethical Challenges Slides

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Accreditation and credit designation:

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 6.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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.

Conference planning committee:

Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh

Richard K. Morycz, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Medicine, and Social Work, University of Pittsburgh

John “Jack” Rozel, MD, MSL
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh*

Valerie Satkoske, MSW, PhD
VP of Mission Effectiveness, Ethics, and Volunteer Service, UPMC Mercy
VP Ethics UPMC and UPMC PUH/SHY*

Jamie Zelazny, PhD, MPH, RN
Assistant Professor of Health & Community Systems, University of Pittsburgh**

**Center for Bioethics & Health Law affiliated faculty member

Course director:

Lisa S. Parker, PhD
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Professor of Bioethics
Director of the Center for Bioethics & Health Law, University of Pittsburgh

Conference support and co-sponsorship:

• Ira R. Messer Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation, which sponsored Dr. McGuire’s lecture
• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which sponsored Dr. Primack’s lecture
• School of Medicine Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences
• The Provost’s Year of Emotional Well-being Initiative, which sponsored lectures by Dr. Hughes and Dr. Masood, and provided technological support

Disclosures

All individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity have disclosed all financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All of the relevant financial relationships for the individuals listed below have been mitigated:

• Philip Empey, consultant for Cipherome

No other members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.