| CODE | MDS5101 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Principles and Practice of Clinical Ethics | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit serves as an introduction to the Masters degree giving the student a clear understanding of what is ethics and theories in ethics. It discusses in depth the four principles of biomedical ethics (respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice) as applied to clinical situations, plus other European principles such as dignity, integrity and vulnerability. The unit also introduces and discusses patients' rights and virtue ethics in practice. Declarations of UNESCO, Council of Europe and others will be discussed. It then continues to build and apply the basic theory to several fields, including genomic medicine, reproductive medicine, organ transplantation, equity in health care and death and dying. The unit also dedicates several sessions to case discussions and to special categories of patients, including children, elderly, disabled and other vulnerable groups. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to introduce the student to the principles and practice of moral theory in health care giving special attention to the difference and applicability of deontological and utilitarian ethics, within the scope of the normative values of health care as practiced locally and then, more broadly, within the European Union. In this regards the study-unit aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the Principles of Respect for Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, and Justice and the rules of confidentiality, truth telling, privacy and fidelity. Particular attention is given to the informed consent process in daily practice and in research, with reference also to its applicability in vulnerable groups. Hence an appreciation of understanding, voluntary choices, and competence will be provided. In addition the study-unit will provide an introduction to patients' rights, justice in health care, beginning and end of life issues and a discussion of death and dying. Special categories of patients will be discussed, including, but not restricted to, organ donors and recipients, infertility, genomic medicine, etc. The study-unit also aims to discuss cases which students need to bring. Students will be asked to present cases for discussion and assigned to write a report of the group discussion and their personal reflection of the case. Electronic copies will be kept so that they are shared at the end of the unit in order for each participant to have a compendium of cases discussed. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - discuss the ethical principles underpinning clinical ethics; - demonstrate knowledge about ethical theory; - explain how virtue ethics can affect clinical outcomes; - discuss what it means to respect the autonomy of patients; - explain the nature of clinical ethics in genomic medicine, reproductive medicine, organ transplantation; - demonstrate knowledge of patient rights; - have a vision of equity and justice in health care. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the ethical issues related to their work; - analyse ethical issues using appropriate models; - work as a team in arriving at ethical choices; - recognise when expert advice or consultancy with ethics committees is necessary; - justify decisions based on valid ethical arguments; - consider counter arguments of ethical choices; - discuss key laws in relation to clinical ethics. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Medical Ethics and Law. The Course Curriculum by Hope, T., Savulescu, J., Hendrick, J. Churchill Livingston Press, 2003. - The Blackwell guide to Medical Ethics by Rhodes, R., Francis, L.P., Silvers, A. Blackwell Philosophy Series, Blackwell. - Principles of Biomedical Ethics by Beauchamp, T.L., Childress, J.F. Oxford University Press, 6th Edition. - Boylan, M., Medical Ethics, 2nd ed. Wiley. Supplementary Readings: - Pierre Mallia, Handbook of Patients' Right, ISBN 9-789995-701031. - Duties of a Doctor, General Medical Council, UK. - Philosophy and practice of Medical Ethics, British Medical Association. - Essays in Bioethics, Mallia, P. 2012. - Contemporary Issues in Bioethics, Beauchamp, T.L., Walters, L., Kahn, J.P., Mastroianni, A.C. Wadsworth Press. - An Introduction to Bioethics, Shannon, T.A., Kockler, N.J. Paulist Press, 2009. - Bioethics, An Anthology, Kuhse, H., Singer, P. Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies, 2001 (or latest). - Albert Jonsen, Mark Siegler, William Winslade, Clinical Ethics, ISBN 0-02-361200-2. - Tom Beauchamp, James Childress, Principles and Practice of Biomedical Ethics, 8th edition. - Philip Howard, James Bogle, Medical Law and Ethics, Blackwell publishing, 2005, ISBN 978-1-4051-1868-2. - Adam Bridge, Carl Mitcham, Ethics and Science, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-70267-6. - Lisa Schwartz, Paul Preece, Robert Hendry, Medical Ethics. A Case-based approach, ISBN 0-702-02543-7. - Thomas Shannon, Nicholas Kockler, An Introduction to Bioethics, 4th edition, Paulist Press, ISBN 978-0-8091-4623-9. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Emmanuel Agius Isabella Borg Pierre Mallia (Co-ord.) Philip Sciortino Raymond Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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