Module and Programme Catalogue

Search site

Find information on

2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

IDEA5304M Conscience, Codes and Professional Issues

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Prof Chris Megone
Email: C.B.Megone@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Module replaces

PHIL5240M

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

Following two modules examining in some detail issues arising in healthcare at the beginnings and endings of lives, the aim of this module is to introduce you to a range of ethical issues that arise more pervasively throughout medical/nursing practice. Thus the module will examine some general issues concerning the carer/patient relationship, in particular the demands for truth-telling, trust, confidentiality, and consent in medicine. What philosophical arguments underlie these demands, and what exactly is their stringency? We will also consider certain general considerations that bear on the professional¿s ethical decision making, in particular the role of ethical codes and the justification, if there is one, for professionals to appeal to conscience in objecting to undertaking certain practices in healthcare.

The module also involves group work on a topic chosen from those within those mentioned above, or from other topics associated with these general strands, for example, topics such as Whistleblowing, loyalty and supererogation, that are connected to the second strand of issues; and considerations of virtues specific to healthcare/medicine or that manifest themselves in specific ways in this area of practice in connection with the first strand of issues. One aim of the group work here is to reflect the way in which healthcare practice will often involve teams of professionals (often together with patients) seeking to arrive at a common position on practical ethical problems.

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
Display understanding of Hippocratic traditions in medicine and of recent modifications; Understand ethical rationale underlying current emphasis on autonomy, consent and shared medical decision-making; Display understanding of the challenges of inter-disciplinary teams in health care; Evaluate conscience and compromise in the clinical context.

Syllabus

Topics such as:
Honesty, loyalty, confidentiality and trust; use and abuse of codes; ethical models such as patient advocacy; individual conscience; compromise and sharing responsibility.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Group Project42.008.00
Seminar42.008.00
Private study hours134.00
Total Contact hours16.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

Detailed study of required readings plus advance preparation of discussion questions for seminars. Independent reading and research for the preparation of assessments. Reading and independent group work for the preparation of group presentation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 class based assignment, 1 x 2,000 word assignment and 1 x Annotated Bibliography 500 words

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Oral PresentationGroup presentation plus brief written report25.00
Essay1 x 2,000 word65.00
ReportAnnotated Bibliography 500 words10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

ACW

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/12/2018 16:33:09

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD

© Copyright Leeds 2019