2014/15 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 2014/15
Module replaces
PHIL5240MThis 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 type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Group Project | 4 | 2.00 | 8.00 |
Seminar | 4 | 2.00 | 8.00 |
Private study hours | 134.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 16.00 | ||
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 assessed essay(s). Reading and independent group work for the preparation of group presentation.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
1 class based assignment and 1 x 2,000 word assignmentMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Oral Presentation | Group presentation plus brief written report | 25.00 |
Essay | 1 x 2,000 words, Exceptionally gifted students may be permitted to submit one 3,000 word essay for 100% of the module mark | 75.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 12/02/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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