Unit information: Ethical Issues in the Allied Health Professions in 2010/11

Unit name	Ethical Issues in the Allied Health Professions
Unit code	MEDIM6009
Credit points	15
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Deans
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

It appears that doctors and allied health professionals can and do differ in their opinions, particularly in sensitive decisions such as the limitation of life-sustaining treatment. This unit considers ethical and legal issues that arise in the delivery of health care within a multidisciplinary environment. The unit will divide into two parts: (i.) the principles of ethical practice in allied health, such as the concept of "care", professional-patient advocacy and codes of conduct; and (ii.) professional issues in allied health, including topics such as conscientious objection and conflicts with other health care professionals, drawing on case studies.

Aims:

This unit aims to provide students with a systematic understanding and critical awareness of some of the key ethical and legal issues arising in the allied health professions. The Unit will focus on the core ethical and legal themes arising in this multi-disciplinary field, including the concept of “care” ethics and how power relationships affect delivery of care. Students will learn to critically appraise and apply these issues and will gain greater insight into the legal and professional obligations in this context.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Systematically understand core ethical and legal issues arising in the allied health professions
2. Critically assess and apply these issues to some of the core dilemmas arising in this field, including developing original arguments and reflecting on their validity;
3. Undertake independent research on ethical and legal aspects of allied health care, drawing on appropriate methodology and research tools; and
4. Show evidence of soundly reasoned and clearly communicated scholarship in health care ethics and law as it applies to allied health.

Teaching Information

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

• Student-centred seminars
• Student-led seminars
• Small group exercises

Assessment Information

Assessment of this unit will involve either: (a) A written assignment of no more than 3,000 words or (b) An oral presentation of 30 minutes and a written reflection on the oral presentation of 800 words.

The Unit Director will decide which option is to be taken.

If chosen, the oral presentation will be double marked according to standard marking criteria for oral presentations. Students will also be offered training in oral presentations and will receive formative feedback from staff and students following their presentation.

Reading and References

1. Johnstone, M. (2005). Bioethics: A Nursing Perspective, 4th edn. Churchill Livingstone.
2. Tingle J. & Cribb A, Eds. (2007). Nursing Law and Ethics, 3rd edn. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
3. Hawley G, ed. (2007). Ethics in Clinical Practice: An Inter-professional Approach. Pearson Education.
4. Hugman R. (2005). New Approaches in Ethics for the Caring Professions: Taking Account of Change for Caring Professions. Palgrave Macmillan.
5. Veatch R. (1996). Case Studies in Allied Health Ethics. Prentice Hall.
6. Purtilo RB. (2005). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions, 5th edn. Saunders.