BOET031p Health Care Ethics

Faculty of Medicine
autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/0/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Zdeňka Barešová (lecturer)
Mgr. Bc. Iva Korábová, 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)
Mgr. Bc. Kateřina Smolková (assistant)
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 (80,00 %), Department of Public Health – Theoretical Departments – Faculty of Medicine (20,00 %)
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
Abstract

Healthcare ethics provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of ethical reasoning in the fields of optics, optometry, and orthoptics. The course familiarises students with how to think and respond in situations where professional knowledge is combined with responsibility towards clients and patients.

Emphasis is placed on communication, building trust, informed consent, and respect for the needs and values of clients across different age groups, including children and older adults. Students learn to recognise ethical problems in common situations in vision care, such as assessment, recommendation of visual aids, or patient education, and to reflect on them in a structured way.

The course also addresses specific aspects of these professions, such as the intersection of healthcare and the commercial environment, managing client expectations, and responsibility in providing professional recommendations. It contributes to the development of professional values such as respect, responsibility, and integrity, and provides a foundation for ethical conduct in future practice.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. explain the fundamental principles of healthcare ethics and clarify their relevance to practice in optics, optometry, and orthoptics
  2. recognise an ethical problem in model situations of vision care (e.g. assessment, recommendation of visual aids, communication with clients)
  3. describe the basic principles of communication with clients/patients, including informed consent and confidentiality
  4. distinguish situations in which a conflict may arise between professional recommendations and commercial interests
  5. propose a basic approach to resolving a simple ethical problem in the context of their future practice
  6. reflect on the importance of professional values such as respect, responsibility, and trust in relation to clients/patients
Key topics

Foundations of Healthcare Ethics and Professional Role
Ethics as part of the healthcare profession; key concepts (ethics, values, responsibility); specific features of non-physician healthcare professions; trust and professional conduct

Healthcare Professional–Client/Patient Relationship
Principles of ethical communication; building trust; respect for clients’ needs and values; autonomy and informed consent; confidentiality

Ethics of Vision Assessment and Care
Responsibility in vision testing and screening; limits of professional competence; indications for referral to a physician; dealing with uncertainty and error

Specific Aspects of Working with Children and Older Adults
Communication with paediatric patients and their parents; cooperation and motivation in vision therapy (orthoptics); working with older adults; protection of vulnerable groups

Aesthetics, Identity, and Client Expectations
Perception of appearance (glasses as part of identity); managing client expectations; respect for patient decisions; communication of realistic outcomes

Commercial Aspects of Vision Care
Sale of glasses and contact lenses; conflicts of interest; ethics of recommending visual aids; boundaries between healthcare and business

Misinformation and Alternative Approaches
Myths about vision (e.g. “miracle” exercises); dealing with unverified information; the role of professionals in patient education

Professional Responsibility and Team Collaboration
Interprofessional collaboration (ophthalmologist, optometrist, orthoptist); ethical codes; responsibility for decision-making; ethical work environment

Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • VÁCHA, Marek Orko; Radana KÖNIGOVÁ and Miloš MAUER. Základy moderní lékařské etiky. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2012, 302 s. ISBN 9788073677800. info
  • HAŠKOVCOVÁ, Helena. Lékařská etika. Čtvrté, aktualizované a r. Praha: Galén, 2015, 225 stran. ISBN 9788074922046. info
    not specified
  • Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M., & Winslade, W. J. (2019). Klinická etika: Praktický přístup k etickým rozhodnutím v klinické medicíně. Triton.
  • PLEVOVÁ, Ilona and Regina SLOWIK. Komunikace s dětským pacientem. 1. vydání. Praha: Grada, 2010, 247 stran. ISBN 9788024729688. info
  • Blízké a vzdálené :etické teorie a principy práce s lidmi. Edited by Jan-Olav Henriksen - Arne Johan Vetlesen - Miluše Juříčková. 1. vyd. Boskovice: ALBERT, 2000, 210 s. ISBN 80-85834-85-5. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

Teaching is delivered through interactive lectures that encourage active student participation.

The course includes work with model situations from the practice of optics, optometry, and orthoptics (case studies), their analysis, and group discussion. These activities develop the ability to recognise ethical problems, reflect on them in a structured way, and propose appropriate solutions.

Emphasis is placed on the formulation of individual viewpoints, respectful and professional communication, and openness to different perspectives. An integral part of the course is also independent study of recommended literature.

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

Achievement of the learning outcomes is assessed through a written credit test. The test primarily evaluates understanding of key concepts in healthcare ethics, orientation in the topics covered, and the ability to recognise ethical problems in model situations from the practice of optics, optometry, and orthoptics.

The test consists of multiple-choice questions with four options, of which only one is correct. No penalty is applied for incorrect answers. The minimum passing threshold is set at 60% of correct answers.

The test content is based on lectures and required reading.

Alternate completion

In exceptional cases (e.g., study abroad), it is possible, upon prior agreement with the course instructors, to fulfil the course requirements through independent study and assessment of knowledge.

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)
The course is taught annually.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: podzimní semestr.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
Contact person: doc. PhDr. Alena Slezáčková, Ph.D.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, autumn 2018, autumn 2019, autumn 2020, autumn 2021, autumn 2022, autumn 2023, autumn 2024, autumn 2025.
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