THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK : An understanding of the client, his/her needs, emotions and
circumstances is fundamental to an effective therapeutic relationship. This holistic focus on
the therapeutic relationship and service excellence constitutes, together with ethical sensitivity,
the building blocks for effective and competent practice. The Measuring Instrument for Ethical
Sensitivity in the Therapeutic Sciences (MIEST) is the first multidisciplinary measuring
instrument to describe the ethical sensitivity of audiologists and other therapists. In an era
where therapists are daily confronted with ethical decision making, it is important to determine
the different levels of skill related to ethical sensitivity. The data obtained by means of the
MIEST can provide guidance through workshops and professional development programmes.
Ethical sensitivity is the first step in the framework of ethical behaviour and for that reason
forms the foundation of this research.
AIM : To investigate the ethical sensitivity of practising audiologists in terms of defined
principles and skills.
METHODOLOGY : A quantitative research design using an existing measuring instrument was
applied. Fifty participants completed the MIEST measuring instrument. Data collection was
managed electronically and the data was quantitatively analysed using parametric and inferential statistics.
RESULTS : The mean score for the practising audiologists was 65%, which places this group of
participants in the developing phase of ethical sensitivity. The highest level of ethical sensitivity
related to the principle of justice and the skill emotional expression. The study identified a
need to further develop the ethical sensitivity of audiologists, especially with regard to nonmaleficence,
controlling social bias and the interpretation of situations.
TEORETIESE RAAMWERK : ʼn Begrip van die kliënt, sy/haar behoeftes, emosies en omstandighede
vorm die basis van ʼn doeltreffende terapeutiese verhouding. Diensuitnemendheid en etiese
sensitiwiteit vorm saam met hierdie holistiese kliënt-terapeut-benadering die boustene vir
doeltreffende dienslewering. Die Meetinstrument vir Etiese Sensitiwiteit in die Terapeutiese
Wetenskappe (MIEST) is die eerste multidissiplinêre meetinstrument beskikbaar om etiese
sensitiwiteit van oudioloë en ander terapeute te evalueer. In ʼn eeu waar terapeute daagliks
gekonfronteer word met etiese besluitneming is dit belangrik om die vlak van ontwikkeling
van terapeute in verskillende fases van etiese besluitneming te bepaal. Die MIEST kan in die
toekoms as rigtingwyser vir werkswinkels en professionele ontwikkelingsprogramme gebruik
word. Etiese sensitiwiteit is die eerste stap in die raamwerk van etiese optrede en word daarom
as die vertrekpunt vir hierdie navorsing beskou.
DOEL : Om die etiese sensitiwiteit van praktiserende oudioloë te ondersoek met verwysing na
spesifieke beginsels en vaardighede.
METODIEK : ʼn Kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gevolg met die gebruik van ʼn reeds
ontwikkelde meetinstrument, naamlik die MIEST. Vyftig deelnemers het die meetinstrument
voltooi. Data-insameling het elektronies plaasgevind. Die data is kwantitatief ontleed deur
middel van beskrywende sowel as parametriese en inferensiële statistiek.
BEVINDINGS : Die gemiddelde prestasie van praktiserende oudioloë was 65%, wat hul in die
“ontwikkelende” fase van etiese sensitiwiteit plaas. Die hoogste vlak van etiese sensitiwiteit
was in ooreenstemming met die beginsel van geregtigheid asook die vaardigheid, naamlik
emosionele uitdrukking. ʼn Behoefte is geïdentifiseer om oudioloë se etiese sensitiwiteit
spesifiek ten opsigte van nie-kwaadwilligheid, beheer oor sosiale vooroordeel en die vertolking
van situasies te verhoog.
