Students
AMED836 – Ethics and Professionalism
2015 – SM9 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Tony Eyers
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to DAdvSurg or DAdvMed or MAdvSurg or MAdvMed or MSurg or MMed or MMedPrac or DClinPrac or GDSpSurg or GradDipSpMed or GradCcertClinLship
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The practice of medicine requires high levels of ethical and professional awareness to support effective and responsible practice. Whatever the area of your practice, there will always be ethical challenges and moments when you ask yourself, "What is the right thing to do here?"
The practice-based approach to ethics in this unit uses common clinical situations as triggers to explore and analyse ethical dilemmas encountered in practice. Scholars learn to critique arguments, use moral theory, perform relevant research and develop a structured approach to analysing practical ethical challenges. The study of professionalism encompasses medical duties and obligations, team work, relations with industry, reflective practice and the goals of medicine. The unit is co-taught by surgeons and philosophers.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar 1 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Seminar 2 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Seminar 3 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Assignment 1 | 25% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Seminar 4 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Seminar 5 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Assignment 2 | 25% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Seminar 6 | 5% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Assignment 3 | 20% | Date TBA via iLearn |
| Assignment 4 | 0% | Date TBA via iLearn |
Seminar 1
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon participation in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence by describing, during the discussion, one or more of the issues that arose at the Memorial in ethical language, and by listing the duties and responsibilities of one staff member.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Seminar 2
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon participation in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence by posting a description of a case from your own practice as an explicit ethical argument, and by contributing examples to the seminar discussion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Seminar 3
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon participation in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence in the performance elements by giving a 10 minute presentation of your research report (Assignment 1). In your presentation, focus on the main points that you wish us to understand about the issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assignment 1
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 25%
Assessment for this element is based upon your identifying a clinical ethics topic that is significant for your own practice and/or of interest. Using relevant databases and other bibliographic resources, you find appropriate literature on your chosen topic. From the search results, you select five relevant articles or chapters (using the criteria for critically reviewing literature to help guide your selection). For your review, write a 1500 word narrative account of the ethical issue. In your account, synthesise the main points from your chosen literature, identify the main ethical positions, and provide your own reasons for preferring one position or conclusion on your chosen topic (eg for or against euthanasia).
Relevant Performance elements
3.1
Identifies elements of ethical arguments (premises, conclusions)
3.2
Makes relevant distinctions and comparisons between concepts
3.3
Critically evaluates arguments
4.2
Justifies decisions using explicit ethical reasoning
5.1
Performs a competent literature search of ethics databases
5.2
Identifies articles suitable for investigating a specific ethics topic
5.3
Evaluates the ethical reasoning and arguments within the identified literature
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Seminar 4
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon performance in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence by identifying, discussing and justifying your chosen list of goals of medicine, using appropriate ethical language and reasoning.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Seminar 5
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon performance in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence by presenting a draft of your clinical ethics case analysis (Assignment 2) in which you have described a clinical situation that raises ethical issues, using appropriate concepts and language, analysed the case using a formal framework, and justified your chosen conclusion
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assignment 2
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 25%
Assessment for this element is based on your performing a clinical ethics case analysis (3000 words), using one of the frameworks available from the readings. In writing your analysis, you must use appropriate ethical concepts and terminology to describe the issue, and be systematic in the use of your chosen framework, providing reasons to support your chosen conclusion. It is important that the case you select raises sufficient ethical issues to sustain a detailed analysis. See relevant references from the required and recommended readings and from your own research.
Relevant Performance elements
1.1
Identifies situations that raise ethical issues
1.2
Articulates ethical issue/s clearly
1.3
Identifies values relevant to specific situations
1.4
Identifies relevant responsibilities of health care professionals
2.1
Uses relevant ethical concepts
2.2
Uses ethical language (terminology) in appropriate ways
4.1
Uses an appropriate conceptual framework to analyse ethical issues arising in health care
4.2
Justifies decisions using explicit ethical reasoning
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Seminar 6
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 5%
Assessment for this element is based upon performance in the seminar. We will expect you to demonstrate competence by discussing a draft of your reflective work (Assignment 3) in which you demonstrate evidence of reviewing your earlier views, identifying and discussing any challenges to these, and describing the likely impact upon your future practice.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assignment 3
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Assessment of this element is based on a written reflection (1000 words), on whether, and if so, how, the material that we have considered in the course to date has challenged or altered your initial responses to “The deadly choices at the Memorial” as discussed in the first seminar .
To do this you will need to reread your notes on your initial response, and take account of the discussion about the goals of medicine from seminar 5. Consider questions such as:
- Would you look at that situation differently now; and if so, how?
- How has your understanding of the health professionals’ duties and obligations changed?
- What is the effect of explicitly identifying ethical duties and responsibilities?
- Does this process make it easier or more difficult to make decisions in circumstances that are ethically challenging?
- How do you feel about being asked to justify explicitly your decisions?
Relevant Performance elements
6.1
Provides a reflective review of initial response to the Deadly Choices at the Memorial, taking account of the goals of medicine
6.2
Identifies and explains challenges to initial views
6.3
Describes likely impact on future practice
6.4
Reflection: written note shows evidence of reflection, not just reporting
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assignment 4
Due: Date TBA via iLearn
Weighting: 0%
Assessment for this element is based on your submitting a confidential Evaluation Report on your experience of the Unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Delivery and Resources
The learning activities involved, and the resources required for the Unit of Study, are detailed on the iLearn site.
Unit Schedule
|
Topic |
Week |
Seminar Date & Time |
|
One |
1-3 |
This unit is for SM9 deliver. Dates will become available via iLearn. |
|
Two |
4-5 |
|
|
Three |
6-7 |
|
|
Four |
8-10 |
|
|
Five |
11-12 |
|
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Six |
13-15 |
Learning and Teaching Activities
See iLearn site for details for each topic of the unit of study.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to perform a targeted literature review in health care ethics, including identifying relevant resources, evaluating ethical arguments, and reaching a reasoned conclusion.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate communication skills to create a learning environment through your participation in seminars and on-line learning activities.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to recognise and describe situations in health care delivery that raise ethical issues, and identify the values, professional responsibilities, and related ethical concepts relevant to these situations.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to analyse and critically evaluate ethical arguments.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use appropriate frameworks to systematically analyse ethical dilemmas in health care delivery, identify potential options and explain your reasons for choosing one option as ethically and/or professionally preferable.
- To the standard expected of an ethically competent medical practitioner, you will be able to use critical reflection to consider the meaning of professionalism, and review the likely impact of the Unit on your future practice.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar 1
- Seminar 2
- Seminar 3
- Assignment 1
- Seminar 4
- Seminar 5
- Assignment 2
- Seminar 6
- Assignment 3
- Assignment 4