PHIL 2311: Health Care Ethics
Students examine the ethical role of the health care provider within the Canadian health care system. Students critically assess a selection of ethically problematic situations that routinely challenge health care providers. The topical issues considered in this course include the relationship among health care providers; care of the elderly; genetic counselling; resource allocation; care of those diagnosed mentally ill; and the ethics of transplantation. These issues are explored within the context of moral theory, common ethical principles, and methodologies arising from interdisciplinary bioethics.
Learning outcomes
- Identify the ethical components of a variety of situations arising in a health care setting.
- Critically assess these ethical components by applying ethical principles/moral theory.
- Argue for a position/resolution with the recognition that there is likely more than one defensible position/resolution to an ethical challenge.
Course topics
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Health Care Ethics
- Lesson 2: Professional Traditions and Obligations
- Lesson 3: Ethical Theories and Ethical Decision-Making
- Lesson 4: Provider-Patient Relationships and Obligations
- Lesson 5: Ethically Valid Informed Consent
- Lesson 6: Beginning of Life
- Lesson 7: End of Life
- Lesson 8: Medical Research with Human Participants
Required text and materials
There is no required textbook for this course.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
| Lesson Quizzes (6 x 2% each) | 12% |
| Assignment 1: Case Study Analysis | 14% |
| Assignment 2: Argumentative Essay Preparation | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Argumentative Essay | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Reflective Journaling | 14% |
| Mandatory Final Exam | 30% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
