LF:BKET031 Health Care Ethics - Course Information

BKET031 Health Care Ethics

Extent and Intensity

1/0/0. 1 credit(s) (plus 2 credits for an exam). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Bc. Zdeňka Barešová (lecturer)
MUDr. Kateřina Fialová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Pavel Humpolíček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Bc. Michal Koščík, Ph.D. et Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Martin Loučka, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Tatiana Malatincová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Alena Slezáčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Miroslav Světlák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
MUDr. Rastislav Šumec, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

doc. PhDr. Alena Slezáčková, Ph.D.
Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine
Contact Person: Blanka Suchá
Supplier department: Department of Medical Psychology and Ethics – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine (70,00 %), Department of Public Health – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine (30,00 %)

Timetable

Tue 23. 9. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 7. 10. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 21. 10. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 4. 11. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 18. 11. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 2. 12. 16:30–18:10 B11/334, Tue 16. 12. 16:30–18:10 B11/334

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Abstract

This course is intended for physiotherapy students and provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of healthcare ethics in the context of physiotherapy practice. Its aim is to help students understand how ethical reasoning influences the everyday decision-making of healthcare professionals and how it is reflected in the patient relationship, communication, and the course of therapeutic care itself. Students are introduced to basic concepts and learn to distinguish between ethics and morality, as well as between ethical principles and legal standards in healthcare. Emphasis is placed on understanding that an ethically correct decision does not always have to be identical to one that is legally or organizationally clear-cut. The course also presents key topics such as patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality, and demonstrates their practical application in physiotherapy care. Students learn to incorporate these principles into patient communication, decision-making in the therapeutic process, and the handling of ethically challenging situations they may encounter in clinical practice. Part of the course also focuses on developing the ability to reflect ethically on one’s own actions and understanding the responsibility of a physiotherapist as a healthcare professional.

Learning outcomes

·  The student explains the basic concepts of medical and healthcare ethics and distinguishes the relationship between ethics, morality, and law using examples from physiotherapy practice.

·  The student identifies and interprets the main ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, confidentiality) and applies them to model situations in physiotherapy.

·  The student analyzes ethically problematic situations in healthcare and proposes possible solutions in accordance with the professional ethics of a physiotherapist.

·  The student applies ethical principles to communication with patients and to decision-making within the therapeutic process.

·  The student justifies the importance of ethical reflection in the work of a physiotherapist and evaluates the impact of their own decisions on the patient and the course of care.

·  The student critically evaluates selected ethical dilemmas in healthcare and defends their chosen approach to resolving them, including situations related to alternative approaches in healthcare, and demonstrates the ability to distinguish evidence-based practices from unverified or potentially harmful practices (quackery).

Key topics

Ethics and law in physiotherapy and their relationship in clinical rehabilitation practice

Fundamentals of medical and healthcare ethics in physiotherapy, including the origins of ethical norms

The four principles of medical ethics and their application in decision-making in physiotherapy

Informed consent and respect for patient autonomy in physiotherapeutic care

Ethical regulation of biomedical research in physiotherapy

Ethical dilemmas in physiotherapy clinical practice

Ethical aspects of transplantation and organ donation in relation to rehabilitation

Conflicts of interest in physiotherapy and rehabilitation care

Ethics of modern physiotherapy (telerehabilitation, eHealth, integrative and alternative approaches)

Study resources and literature

required literature
• VÁCHA, Marek Orko; Radana KÖNIGOVÁ and Miloš MAUER. Základy moderní lékařské etiky. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2012, 302 s. ISBN 9788073677800. info

recommended literature
• Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M., & Winslade, W. J. (2019). Klinická etika: Praktický přístup k etickým rozhodnutím v klinické medicíně. Triton.
• HAŠKOVCOVÁ, Helena. Lékařská etika. Čtvrté, aktualizované a r. Praha: Galén, 2015, 225 stran. ISBN 9788074922046. info
• ŠIMEK, Jiří. Lékařská etika. 1. vydání. Praha: Grada, 2015, 222 stran. ISBN 9788024753065. info

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Teaching takes the form of lectures. It also includes discussions on key topics, analysis of case studies, and model scenarios, which students may also contribute to based on their practical experience. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

Active participation in classes and discussions, final oral colloquium.

Alternate completion

In justified cases (such as studying abroad, long-term illness, parenthood, or caring for a family member), it is possible to complete the course in an alternative format upon prior agreement with the instructor. The alternative typically consists of self-study of materials within an interactive syllabus and the completion of a written assignment. In such cases, the colloquium is replaced by an individual oral or written assessment, as agreed with the teacher.

Language of instruction

Czech

Study support

https://is.muni.cz/do/rect/el/estud/lf/ps21/lekarska_etika/web/index.html

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: podzimní semestr.

Listed among pre-requisites of other courses

• BFPX044t Practice II
  BKET031&&BFPX023t  
• BFPY051p Psychiatry
  BFPL031p&&BKET031  

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