Rationale 

Communication is a vital part of the healing process in medical and surgical treatments. An understanding of how these fits within the professional standards expected of medical doctors is the basis of this course. The understanding of ethical behaviour in medical practice is also an important part of the care of patients. 

The aim of this course is to examine how medical doctors communicate their health to patients and the duty of care they have towards patients by ensuring that they are responsible for professional behaviour which is consistent with health care ethics.

Learning Outcomes 

At the end of the course students will be expected to:
(i)    Analyse the nature of health care ethics.
(ii)   Explain different ethical theories.
(iii)  Apply various health care-based codes of ethics.
(iv)  Identify the major health care ethical issues.
(v)   Critically evaluate principles used in ethical decision-making in health care issues.
(vi)  Assess clinical situations and formulate an ethical position based on the principles of ethics and codes of ethics.