The Importance of Mindfulness When Approaching Challenging Ethical Issues

Purpose: Ethics education is now a required aspect of continuing education for speech-language pathologists and audiologists as well as a requirement for initial certification. This education can take many approaches but needs to be instilled at the beginning of the academic and clinical training, and ongoing discussion of ethical issues must continue to take place. This essay or viewpoint generates a discussion on the development of mindfulness as a continued aspect of ethics training. Method/Approach: This approach suggests a method or thought process to become mindful of ethical issues in all aspects of clinical practice. Conclusions: Critical review and discussion of ethical issues during early clinical practice and training fosters ethical mindfulness. Applying this approach to continued professional practice could help to maintain and/or develop mindful ethical awareness. Implications for Practice: Professionals can develop a mindful approach to ethical practice by participating in ongoing analyses and discussions of ethical components throughout all clinical activities.