Bioethics: Proper treatment and medical research from edX

The course will discuss ethical principles of UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights; each lesson focuses on one of the principles of the Declaration. Real dilemmas are discussed including ethical dilemmas during the COVID-19 epidemic. Students will be asked to explore real cases and articles dealing with bioethics, according to the principles of bioethics. Actual solutions are discussed. The course includes interviews with world leaders of bioethical research. Grades are given to answers, where indicated in the syllabus below, at the end of each week: the students are asked to assign a principle (or more than one) of the UNESCO declaration to bioethical dilemmas. They are required to participate in discussion forums. There is no final test or thesis. Welcome! We are looking forward to seeing you.

It is possible to join the course until April 15. Participants must answer the questions from previous lessons in order to get credit.

What's inside

Learning objective

At the end of the course students will be able to identify ethical issues in medicine and health sciences. they will be able to provide reasonable justification ethical decisions and be able to apply ethical principles of the universal declaration on bioethics and human rights.

Syllabus

Week 1: March 9-15

In Part 1, the introductory part of the course, we describe ethical law, bioethics, and the major principles of UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. Naturally, I am happy to get to know you in this section and to learn your expectations for the course in the course forum.

Week 2: March 16-22

Topics to be covered:

Human dignity, human rights

Principle 4: Benefit vs. Damage - Explanations

Case Study: Benefit vs. Damage

Principle Five: Autonomy and Individual Responsibility

Case Study: Maintaining Autonomy

Principle 6: Informed Consent to medical treatment

The principle of consent in the framework of the Patient Bill of Rights

Principle 8: Respect for human vulnerability and personal integrity

Case Study: Principle 8

Principle 9: The Privacy and Confidentiality of Patient Data

Week 3: March 23-April 5

Principle 10: Equality, Justice, and Fairness

Principle 11: Non-discrimination and non-labeling

Principle 13: Solidarity and Cooperation

Principle 13: Examples of International Aid

Principles 14 and 17: Social Responsibility, Health, and Environment Protection

Principles 15 and 16: Sharing of Benefits and Protecting Future Generations

Week 4: April 6-12

Informed consent

Right of the Patient to Receive Information

Medical Staff Consideration of the Patient’s Religious Background

Informed Consent: A Clinical Case Study

Summary

Week 5: April 13-19

Principles 6-7 and informed consent

Informed Consent of Minors, and Bone Marrow Donation from a Minor or the Incapacitated

Informed Consent from the Incompetent, the Underprivileged, and the Defenseless

Refusing Medical Treatment and Giving Informed Consent

The Right Not to Know

Graded Questions

Week 6: April 20-26

Informed Consent in Transplants

Facing Unexpected Cases Conflicting Interests of an Individual versus Society

The Clinical Approach vs. the Social Approach

Week 7: April 27-May 4

Topic to be covered:

Ethics and Animal Experimentation

Week 8: May 5-12

Covid-19- Prioritizing treatment, benefits and risks, compulsory public health measures, vaccine rationing, bioethics and social distance, corona passport, Herd immunity

COVID-19 Interviews

Week 9: May 13-20

What is bioethics for you?

End-of-course Survey

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores universal bioethical principles, which are essential for navigating ethical dilemmas in medicine and health sciences

Provides real-world case studies and articles to reinforce understanding of bioethical principles

Includes interviews with prominent bioethical researchers, offering insights from recognized experts

Covers a wide range of bioethical topics, including autonomy, consent, privacy, and fairness

Focuses on ethical dilemmas during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing timely and relevant content

Emphasizes the importance of informed consent and patient autonomy, which are crucial in healthcare settings

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Bioethics: Proper treatment and medical research with these activities:

Review Medical Ethics Background

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Strengthen your foundational understanding of medical ethics before starting the course.

Browse courses on Medical Ethics

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Review textbooks or online resources on medical ethics
Recall key concepts from previous courses or experiences in healthcare or bioethics

Identify and Explain UNESCO Principles

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Gain a deeper understanding of the UNESCO Bioethics Principles by practicing identifying and explaining them.

Browse courses on Bioethics

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Read and study the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights
Review course materials on the principles of bioethics
Complete practice exercises or quizzes that test your ability to recognize and articulate the principles

Discussion Forum Participation

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Engage in discussions with peers to explore and debate bioethical dilemmas, fostering critical thinking and understanding of ethical perspectives.

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Join the course discussion forums
Read assigned readings and prepare discussion points
Participate actively in discussions, sharing insights and perspectives
Respond thoughtfully to the posts of other students

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Career center

Learners who complete Bioethics: Proper treatment and medical research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Ethicist

Medical Ethicists consult with healthcare professionals, patients, and families to help them make ethical decisions about medical care. This course would be highly useful to Medical Ethicists because it would help them to develop a strong foundation in the ethical principles that should guide medical decision-making. The course would also help Medical Ethicists to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of medical care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Ethicist

Healthcare Policy Analyst

Healthcare Policy Analysts develop and evaluate healthcare policies that affect the delivery and financing of healthcare services. This course might be useful to Healthcare Policy Analysts because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the development and evaluation of healthcare policies. The course would also help Healthcare Policy Analysts to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the delivery and financing of healthcare services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Policy Analyst

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians design and conduct statistical studies to answer questions about the effectiveness and safety of medical treatments and procedures. This course might be useful to Biostatisticians because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the design and conduct of medical research. The course would also help Biostatisticians to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the conduct of medical research.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of healthcare services. This course might be useful to Healthcare Administrators because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the provision of healthcare services. The course would also help Healthcare Administrators to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of healthcare services.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. This course may be useful to Physicians because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide medical decision-making. The course would also help Physicians to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of medical care.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. This course may be useful to Nurses because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide nursing care. The course would also help Nurses to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of nursing care.

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Patient Advocate

Patient Advocates represent the interests of patients in healthcare settings. This course may be useful to Patient Advocates because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the provision of healthcare services. The course would also help Patient Advocates to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of healthcare services.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators manage clinical research studies. This course may be useful to Clinical Research Coordinators because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the conduct of medical research. The course would also help Clinical Research Coordinators to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the conduct of medical research.

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Public Health Educator

Public Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. This course may be useful to Public Health Educators because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the development and implementation of public health programs. The course would also help Public Health Educators to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the development and implementation of public health programs.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts develop and evaluate policies that affect the health of populations. This course may be useful to Health Policy Analysts because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the development and evaluation of health policies. The course would also help Health Policy Analysts to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the development and evaluation of health policies.

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Medical Science Liaison

Medical Science Liaisons provide information about medical products and services to healthcare professionals. This course may be useful to Medical Science Liaisons because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the provision of medical information. The course would also help Medical Science Liaisons to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of medical information.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers design and develop medical devices and technologies. This course may be useful to Biomedical Engineers because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the development of medical devices and technologies. The course would also help Biomedical Engineers to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the development of medical devices and technologies.

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Health Services Manager

Health Services Managers plan, organize, and direct the delivery of healthcare services. This course may be useful to Health Services Managers because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the delivery of healthcare services. The course would also help Health Services Managers to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the delivery of healthcare services.

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Genetic Counselor

Genetic Counselors provide information and support to people who are at risk for or have genetic disorders. This course may be useful to Genetic Counselors because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the provision of genetic counseling services. The course would also help Genetic Counselors to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the provision of genetic counseling services.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. This course may be useful to Research Scientists because it would help them to understand the ethical principles that should guide the conduct of scientific research. The course would also help Research Scientists to identify and address the ethical issues that arise in the conduct of scientific research.

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