Ethics in Health Care

Objectives

Objectives

Distinguish concepts of Ethics, Bioethics, Health care ethics and Deontology;

Distinguish ethical models and theories underlying ethical decision;

Describe the steps in the process of ethical decision making;

Reflect about ethical end deontological issues related to the beginning and the end of life;

Reflect on the ethical implications of organ transplantation;

Discuss ethical issues related to refusal of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Competences to be developed

Demonstrates ability to distinguish between Ethics, Bioethics, Health care ethics and Deontology;

Demonstrates knowledge of ethical models, theories and steps of ethical decision making process;

Demonstrates ability using arguments in issues about beginning and end of life;

Debate, using logical and reasoned arguments, ethical implications related to organ transplants;

Demonstrates understanding of ethical issues related to refusal of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Program

Ethics, Bioethics, Health care ethics, Nursing ethics, Deontology;

Ethical models and theories;

Ethical issues and process of ethical decision making;

Patients’ rights and duties;

Ethics and multiculturalism;

Personal and Professional values in nursing practice;

Autonomy and responsibility;

Compassion and solidarity

Veracity and truthfulness

Ethical issues in beginning of life: contraception and infertility; prenatal diagnosis; medical assisted reproduction.

Ethical issues: marginalization of AIDS patient, organ transplantation, refusal of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses;

Ethical issues at the end of life: proportionate and disproportionate means; futile treatments; communicating bad news; living will; euthanasia; futility or therapeutic obstinacy; palliative care;

Mourning process.

Teaching Methodologies

There are moments of content presentation and other methods that are more dynamic and imply student participation: reading and reflection, films projection about themes of interest, discussion about related ethical issues and real life cases, among others. Students conduct search, selection, and organization of information on Health Ethics.

More, there is discussion after electronic and journal articles on Health Ethics.

Bibliography

Archer, Luís; Biscaia, Jorge e Osswald, Walter (coord). Bioética. Lisboa/São Paulo: Verbo, 1996.

Archer, Luís; Biscaia, Jorge; Osswald, Walter e Renaud, Michel (coord). Novos desafios à Bioética. Porto: Porto Editora, 2001.

Neves, Maria do Céu Patrão e Pacheco, Susana (coord.). Para uma ética da enfermagem: desafios. Coimbra: Gráfica de Coimbra, 2004.

Nunes, Rui e Melo, Helena (coord.). A ética e o direito no início da vida humana. Coimbra: G.C. – Gráfica de Coimbra, 2001.

Pacheco, Susana. Cuidar a pessoa em fase terminal: perspectiva ética. 2ª ed. Loures: Lusociência, 2004.

Associação Portuguesa de Bioética (APB): http://www.apbioetica.org/gca/index.php?id=143&idbloco=152

Conselho Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida (CNECV): http://www.cnecv.gov.pt/cnecv/pt/

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies: http://europa.eu.int/comm/european_group_ethics/index_en.htm

International Association of Bioethics: http://www.bioethics-international.org/