What distinct skill set is required for dedicated staff providing reactive consultation in major academic medical centers?

Rapid mediation and clear, high-stakes communication.

While smaller hospitals might rely only on an ethics committee structure for guidance, major academic medical centers frequently employ dedicated staff whose function is centered on immediate, reactive consultation when an ethical conflict demands urgent attention. This contrasts with the more structured policy review conducted by committees. The nature of reactive consultation necessitates a specialized skill set optimized for crisis management, requiring professionals to engage in rapid mediation between conflicting parties—whether they are medical teams, patients, or families—while communicating complex ethical assessments with absolute clarity under high-stakes, time-sensitive pressure.