Ethical Decision-Making in Care

Different ethical frameworks: Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is primarily designed for caregivers, care assistants and nurses. However, the course will also be of interest to anyone engaged in health and social care, or who uses health and social care services. You can use the hashtag #ethicsincare to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

‘Four Principles’
Human Rights
Virtue ethics

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Reviews summary

Ethics in care: practical foundations

According to learners, this course offers a clear and accessible introduction to ethical decision-making within care settings. Students widely appreciate its practical relevance, noting how the content, particularly the four principles and virtue ethics, directly applies to real-life situations. The course is highlighted for providing a solid foundational understanding, making complex ethical concepts understandable for a broad audience. While largely positive, some learners suggest that experienced professionals might find the pacing introductory, wishing for more advanced or specific case studies.

Relevant for both professionals and general interest.

"Though I'm not a professional caregiver, I found the course incredibly insightful for personal understanding of care."

"This course is invaluable for anyone interacting with health and social care services, not just practitioners."

"It broadened my perspective on ethical responsibilities, which is applicable beyond my professional role."

Excellent for beginners or a comprehensive refresher.

"As someone new to formal ethics study, I felt this course provided a perfect starting point."

"Even as an experienced nurse, this course served as a valuable refresher on core ethical principles."

"It builds a solid base for understanding ethical thought, which I can now expand upon in future studies."

Content is highly applicable to real-world care scenarios.

"This course directly relates to the ethical challenges I face daily in my caregiving role; it's immediately useful."

"I can now confidently apply the principles learned here to navigate difficult situations with patients."

"The scenarios helped me see how human rights and ethical frameworks integrate into everyday care practices."

Course effectively simplifies complex ethical frameworks.

"The way the course explained the Four Principles made them incredibly clear and easy to grasp."

"I found the explanations of virtue ethics very straightforward, which helped me understand their practical application."

"The content clarifies complex ethical dilemmas, providing a strong foundation for decision-making in care."

May feel slow for those with prior ethics knowledge.

"While thorough, I found some sections a bit slow-paced, especially having a background in healthcare ethics."

"For an advanced practitioner, the foundational nature meant some modules were a recap rather than new learning."

"I would have appreciated more complex case studies to challenge my existing understanding further."

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Learners who complete Ethical Decision-Making in Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Ethics for the New Millennium

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Presents the Dalai Lama's views on ethics. It unique and inspiring perspective on how to live a good life.

Ethical Decision-Making in Care

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Ethics in care: practical foundations

Career center

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