Narrat Inq Bioeth. 2021;11(3):275-295. doi: 10.1353/nib.2021.0084.
The lack of access to effective interventions for psychotic disorders places a considerable burden on informal caregivers. At the same time, the convergence of clinical neurosciences and next-generation genomics has the potential to transform psychiatric care. This article presents findings from a qualitative study. I conducted focus groups with carers of a person suffering from psychosis. I investigated how carers conceptualise the ethical issues arising from novel neurobiological approaches to psychosis. On the one hand, carers pictured a narrative of hope. They strongly demanded novel research and effective interventions that might help their ill relative to recover and lead a flourishing life. On the other hand, carers were frustrated at their present situation and feared that technological innovation might produce more harm than benefits. I argue that carers' moral outlook can be best understood by referring to an ethics of care. This study suggests that investigating carers' perspectives on sensitive ethical issues is vital to ensure that the needs of those who suffer from psychosis are appropriately met.
精神障碍有效干预措施的缺乏给非专业照护者带来了相当大的负担。与此同时，临床神经科学和下一代基因组学的融合有可能改变精神科护理。本文介绍了一项定性研究的结果。我与一位患有精神疾病的人的照顾者进行了焦点小组讨论。我调查了照顾者如何理解新型神经生物学方法引发的伦理问题。一方面，照顾者描绘了一个充满希望的故事。他们强烈要求开展新的研究和有效的干预措施，以帮助他们患病的亲人康复并过上美满的生活。另一方面，照顾者对他们目前的情况感到沮丧，并担心技术创新可能弊大于利。我认为，通过参照关怀伦理，可以更好地理解照顾者的道德观念。这项研究表明，调查照顾者对敏感伦理问题的看法对于确保满足那些患有精神疾病的人的需求至关重要。
