Unit information: Current Topics in Clinical Ethics in 2010/11

Unit name	Current Topics in Clinical Ethics
Unit code	COBMM0002
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Newson
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This Unit will develop students' understanding of, and critical reflection on, 'clinical ethics' - the way in which ethical and legal issues are resolved in everyday health care practice. The Unit will also offer a student-centred approach to some content, allowing topical and emerging issues to be identified and discussed. Core subject matter will include (i) A brief history of clinical ethics; (ii) Theoretical reasoning by ethics committees; (iii) Current challenges in the development of clinical ethics support in the UK. Optional subject matter will be taught via student-led seminars, with guided reading provided by staff at the Centre for Ethics in Medicine. Topics will be chosen by mutual agreement between Centre staff and students, but may encompass surgical ethics, stem cell therapy, genetics and mental health. The seminars will proceed by way of a mock clinical ethics committee. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate application of knowledge through an essay drawing together theoretical and reflective scholarship.

Aims:

This Unit aims to provide students with a systematic understanding and critical awareness of some of the key aspects of ‘clinical ethics’ – the way in which ethical and legal dilemmas arise and are analysed in the context of modern health care. Through a consideration of several current topics, students will learn how clinical ethical reasoning occurs in practice and some of the benefits and drawbacks of this process. Students will also be able to critically appraise and apply some of the concepts of clinical ethics to a topic of their own choosing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this Unit, students will be able to:

1. Systematically understand the core approaches to clinical ethical reasoning and the history and role of clinical ethics committees in the United Kingdom;
2. Critically evaluate these approaches, including the challenges arising in the discipline of clinical ethics;
3. Apply theoretical approaches in clinical ethics to a topical ethico-legal issue, through undertaking independent research, drawing on appropriate methodology and research tools to develop original arguments and reflect on their validity; and
4. Show evidence of soundly reasoned, original and clearly communicated scholarship in health care ethics and law as it applies to clinical ethics.

Teaching Information

Student centred teaching & learning strategies will be promoted using the following methods:

• Online tutorials, incorporating discussion boards and guided reading
• Student-centred seminars
• Student-led seminars
• Small group exercises

Assessment Information

Assessment of this unit will comprise a written assignment of no more than 3,000 words. The topic of the assignment will be chosen by the student in consultation with the Unit Director, who will recommend further supervision as necessary. The self-directed element of this Unit will provide valuable grounding for the Dissertation Unit.

Reading and References

1. Jonsen AR, Siegler M & Winslade WJ. (2006). Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill.
2. Slowther A, Johnston C, Goodall J & Hope T. (2004). A Practical Guide for Clinical Ethics Support. Oxford: UK Clinical Ethics Network.
3. Working Party on Clinical Ethics (2005). Ethics in practice: Background and recommendations for enhanced support. London: Royal College of Physicians.
4. Ashcroft R, Lucassen A, Parker M & Verkerk M. (2005). Case Analysis in Clinical Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5. Horn P. (2002). Clinical Ethics Casebook, 2nd edn. Wadsworth Publishing Co.
6. Johnstone C & Bradbury P. (2008) 100 Cases in Clinical Ethics and Law. Hodder Arnold.