Essential Information
Medical ethics classes are available through several undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fields such as healthcare administration, bioethics, medical assisting, nursing and medicine. Many of these programs have an overview course on medical ethics, while bioethics and medicine programs include advanced courses. Some programs related to healthcare even offer a medical ethics concentration to study the topic in depth.
You can expect to see the following subjects in classes:
- Reproductive technology
- OBGYN
- Confidentiality
- Relationships between doctors and patients
- Refusal of care by patients
- Abortion
- Organ donation
- Informed consent
List of Medical Ethics Classes
Beginning Medical Ethics Course
This medical ethics course is typically offered in undergraduate programs in pre-medicine. In it, students examine common ethical issues they could face as doctors, such as the relationship between doctors and their patients. They discuss the importance of privacy with regards to a patient's medical condition.
Intermediate Course
This medical ethics class is a continuation of the introductory course. In it, students examine the ethics and morality behind patient care in a wide variety of issues, including euthanasia and genetic control. The course covers issues such as whether or not parents have a right to refuse care for their children with certain medical disorders. They also begin to discuss issues pertaining to patient confidentiality.
Bio-Medical Ethics Course
In this undergraduate-level course in medicine, students examine social and ethical issues that have arisen because of medical advancements. For instance, the course covers abortion and reproductive technologies. Students examine the role each of the issues plays in medicine and society, the physician's ethical responsibility and ways to assess the impact of performing different medical procedures.
Social and Ethical Issues in Medicine Course
This doctoral-level course examines, in detail, the moral, social and ethical issues physicians face. In this course, students examine the ethical responsibilities of a medical professional and debate ethical issues. Students also discuss the physician and patient relationship in detail, covering dignity, confidentiality and care.
Clinical Ethics Course
Graduate-level medical students taking this course gain experience providing patient care to individuals in a number of fields, including neurology, obstetrics and gynecology. They work with patients and complete case analyses, which they discuss with their classmates. Through this course, students gain perspective on the different fields of medicine and the ethical challenges each presents.
