PA 503 Clinical Ethics
This ethics course is designed to expose students to legal and ethical dilemmas faced in medical practice. The course presents approaches that facilitate thinking through the complexities of ethical and issues in clinical practice. In addition, representative opinions are offered. The format will include assigned readings, reflection and application papers, and class discussions. Topics include death and dying decisions, informed consent, decisional capacity, cultural and religious beliefs, euthanasia and assisted suicide, genetic screening, and the use of humans in clinical research. Students will develop the ability to recognize and think through ethical issues as they arise in their professional practice. They will be prepared to take ethical responsibility as part of the health care team and practice empathy, principles, and protocols that enhance patient welfare.