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Bioethics, or medical ethics involves the intersection of society,medicine, law, and technology. Our beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes when we face medically and morally complex situations are shaped by culture, religion and our own personal experiences. This one hour monthly seminar is a facilitated discussion to support physicians and medical staffas they face ethical dilemmas in patient care. Rather than a didactic lecture or course on medical ethics, this seminar will provide an opportunity for staff to take a step back, share experiences, discuss feelings and explore different points of view while reflecting on specific topics and cases. The emphasis is on recognizing feelings, separating personal from professional ethics and obligations, and using an objective framework for decision making. Additionally, we will spend some time talking about listening and interpersonal skills that will hopefully facilitate communication between the physician, patient/family and other members of the healthcare team.
Initially, topics, journal articles, and cases will be suggested by the facilitator and by Dr. Mitchell. As the group develops, participants will be encouraged to suggest topics, explore issues and present case studies.
Objectives for the seminar are to assist participants:
- Distinguish between personal and professional values, attitudes, ethics and beliefs.
- Develop and utilize a framework for ethical decision making.
- Enhance communicationskills with patients, families, and team members around ethical issues and decision making.
- Recognizing and accept ambiguity and personal/professional limitations in difficult cases.
- Identify signs of ethical stress and utilize positive coping strategies.
Dates for the seminar: - Typically the 4th Wednesday of the month, with some exceptions
| Dates |
Discussion topic |
| January 26 at 11am |
Useful distinctions
ethics, values and morals
Political, legal, philosophical, spiritual, operational ethics |
| February 11 at NOON |
Personal and professional ethics and values |
| March 30 at NOON |
A basic philosophical framework for ethics
Decision making frameworks |
| April 27 at NOON |
Listening and Communicating
Truth telling and hope |
| May 25 & June 22 at 11 am |
Discussion topic: Living with ambiguity and ethical stress |
July 27 at NOON
(start of new internship class) |
TBA |
| Aug 24 at NOON |
TBA |
| Sept 28 at NOON |
TBA |
| Oct 26 at NOON |
TBA |
| November NO LECTURE |
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| December NO LECTURE |
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Beginning suggested readings:
Emanuel, E. J. (1994). The ends of human life: Medical Ethics in a liberal polity. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Donaldson, TM.,Fistein, E., & Dunn, M. (2010). Teaching and learning ethics: Case-based seminars in medical ethics education: how medical students define and discuss moral problems. Journal of Medical Ethics. Published First: 20 October 2010. doi:10.1136/jme.2010.036574
This article will be discussed in seminar as it explores the risks that medical staff fear in openly discussing their concerns and difficulties around ethical issues.
Additional Resources:
- Vanderbuilt Center for Ethics - http://www.vanderbilt.edu/CenterforEthics/resources.html
- Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University - http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/medical
- National Institutes of Health Center for Bioethics - http://bioethics.od.nih.gov
- The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (a Christian Oriented source) - http://www.cbhd.org/resources/case-studies University of Buffalo, Center for Case Study teaching in Science
- American Osteopathic Association Code of ethics - http://www.aobs.org/pdf/AOA%20Code%20of%20Ethics2.pdf
- AMA Medical Ethics - http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics.shtml
- AMA Pocket book of ethics - http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/369/ethics-in-hand-physician-version.pdf
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