ETHICS IN BRAIN INJURY REHABILITATION - EXISTENTIAL CHOICES AMONG WESTERN CULTURAL BELIEFS

The following issues in the practice of brain injury rehabilitation ar e explored: (1) validity of support for efficacy based on experience i n clinical practice, (2) validity of support for efficacy based on res earch, (3) consumer protection, (4) qualifications and regulation of i ndividual providers, (5) regulation of programme development and marke ting. Ethical responses to these issues from each of three cultural be lief systems (humanism, science and self-interest) are examined from a metaphilosophical perspective based on contemporary cognitive psychol ogy and on philosophies of social constructionism and existentialism.