Nursing Ethics and Moral Issues including Bioethics

Dr. Sigfredo M. Solano

Course Description
Ethics is a branch of moral philosophy that deals with the study of ethical concepts, laws and principles as applied to the everyday duty of nurse to care for individual, families and community in all areas of work. Such duty covers her responsibilities to her coworkers, country, society and self.

Course Description
Bioethics deals with the application of ethico-moral and legal concepts and principles to issues that affect the practice of nursing. These provide the basis for appropriate decision making given varied situations, to prepare the learner to render effective, efficient and safe nursing care.

Course Description
Furthermore, related nursing experiences provide opportunities to concretize commitment to nursing. The critical thinking process shall be used in the unit with the object to develop the intellectual capacity to conceptualize what students know about particular ethico-moral and legal issues.

Course Objectives
At the end of the course and given specific situations / conditions, the student should be able to: 1. Discuss the basic ethical principles as they apply in their everyday duty as nurse to care for individual, family and society. 2. Explain the various concepts, theories and principles of Bioethics in Nursing and Health. 3. Apply relevant bioethical principles in nursing and health related situations.

 Respect for Autonomy Nonmaleficence Beneficence Justice

Beauchamp and Childress, 1994

Course Objectives
At the end of the course and given specific situations / conditions, the student should be able to: 4. Apply the principles of bioethics in clarifying ethical issues. 5. Recognize the need to grow in the process of ethical reflection. 6. Demonstrate the ability to enhance listening skills and discussion skills when applying bioethical principles in nursing care.

Thalidomide
Introduced in 1956 as sedative (sleeping pill) and to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy Withdrawn in 1961 Discovered to be a human teratogen causing absence of limbs or limb malformations in newborns 5000 to 7000 infants effected Resulted in new drug testing rules

Lead In Homes

Human Clones?

Course Objectives
At the end of the course and given specific situations / conditions, the student should be able to: 4. Apply the principles of bioethics in clarifying ethical issues. 5. Recognize the need to grow in the process of ethical reflection. 6. Demonstrate the ability to enhance listening skills and discussion skills when applying bioethical principles in nursing care.

Course Strategies
Interactive Lecture / Discussion Case Analysis Small Group Discussion / Workshop Film Analysis Pen and Paper exercises Role Playing Debate Bioethics Idol

Basis of Evaluation
1. Class Standing Attendance, Attitude, Participation, Assignments 2. Quizzes include seatwork, Long tests 3. Requirements / Reports / Oral Presentation 4. Reflection Paper 5. Midterm and Final Examination

Ethics are a generalized conceptual frame work for decision making.

NOT about Morals

Morals are an individual frame work for decision making that includes personal values.

REFERENCES
1. Beauchamp and Childress. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press, New York, Latest edition. 2. Edge, Raymond S and Groves, John Randall. The Ethics of Health Care. A Guide for Clinical Practice. Thomson Delmar Publishers Inc., Albany, NY, 3rd edition, 2006. 3. Munson, Ronald. Intervention and Reflection. Basic Issues in Medical Ethics, Thomson Wadsworth, 8th edition, 2008.

5.

Alora, Angeles T. Bioethics for Students. UST

Publishing House, Manila, 2nd edition, 2006 6. Ashley, Benedict and ORourke, Kevin. Ethics of Health Care. Georgetown University Press, Washington D.C., 3rd edition, 2002 7. Timbreza, Florentino T. Bioethics and Moral Decisions. C & E Publishing, Inc., Quezon City, 2nd edition, 2007

Additional References
Agapay, Ramon. Ethics and the Filipino,1996 Health Ethics Concepts and Moral Issues First edition 2005 Kuan, Letty. Bioethics, 2006 Paulin-Ciabal, Laura. Ethics for Health Professional,1990