Ethical Considerations in Healthcare

This course provides a survey of important ethical considerations encountered in U.S. and global healthcare, past and present. It covers issues on which consensus has generally been reached, and some on which debate is currently active. Clinical, professional, and organizational scenarios will be examined, with an occasional glance toward public policy. Students will practice recognizing the elements of ethical problems and applying a "toolbox" of principles, theories, and concepts to understand them. Through readings, class discussions, and assignments, students will review noteworthy cases and policies. They will evaluate the merits of ethical arguments taking different forms. They will compare different frameworks for making ethical judgments and solving dilemmas that arise from competing value perspectives. This background is an essential foundation for practitioners and leaders in every role in a healthcare environment.