Medical Ethics Masterclass
Planning a career in medicine?
The medical community places increasing importance on moral dilemmas posed by medical practice from a philosophical perspective, and ethical approaches form an ever more crucial part of medical training. What it means to own one’s body, whether and when there exists a right to life or to death, the nature of the relationship between state, doctor, patient, and family – these are urgent problems with far-reaching legal, religious and social implications. University applicants are required to have not only a strong science background, but also knowledge of current ethical controversies and a sharp critical approach in responding to these crucial questions. This Masterclass, taught jointly by experts in Medicine and Philosophy, is a perfect introduction to these questions for students in Years 10-13 considering a medical career.
Dates
October 10th 2010
November 7th 2010
Held at the University of London Union, Bloomsbury.
Teaching will run from 10.30 – 4.30.
Masterclass Programme:
How do doctors make decisions about their patients’ treatment?
This seminar will look at how doctors make tough choices about who should be treated and the legal and ethical constraints they face. Students will take part in a variety of discussions and activities to discuss who should have a say about someone’s medical treatment and under what circumstances the opinions of patients, families, friends, courts and doctors can and must be taken into account. Students will get to take part in a Jerry Springer-style chat show to determine what should happen to a young patient when everyone disagrees about the best course for his treatment.
The Role of the NHS
All health services, particularly those which are state-funded like the NHS, face competing demands for time and resources and difficult decisions have to be made. Students will take part in a debate about how resources should be allocated within the NHS. How do we decide who the most worthy cases are? If someone is partly responsible for their medical needs, such as an alcoholic who needs a liver transplant, should that affect the treatment that they receive?
Competing theories of practical ethics
Ethical dilemmas can be approached from a number of fundamentally different directions, the choice of which will shape all the practical decisions which we make. Uncovering and critically examining our underlying assumptions will enable a more consistent and structured response to the sort of practical ethical questions which medical professionals encounter every day. This seminar will look at utilitarian, deontological and virtue theories of ethics.
Emerging medical technologies – the social and moral consequences
The very rapid pace of technological change in areas such as genetic engineering, cloning, and artificial embryo selection means that medical professionals are constantly challenged with new situations and possibilities, many of which have profound ethical consequences. Using detailed case studies we will explore responses to questions such as ‘what limits should we place on the use of genetic engineering in reproduction?’ and ’should we use embryonic cells to create organs for transplant?’ Students will also have a chance to learn about the Human Genome Project – what is it and what are its medical, ethical and legal consequences?
FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS MEDICAL ETHICS MASTERCLASSES
‘I really liked the debates and the chance to challenge others and myself’
‘I had a brilliant time and I would come again’
‘It was really interesting and I have learnt a lot. It was good to have such a small group’
‘It made me question a lot of things – very useful because it didn’t force you to change your beliefs but gave you the opportunity to learn more’
‘I thought it was very thought provoking and extremely interesting’
‘It was extremely helpful, and broadened my knowledge and understanding’
‘Very good. It definitely made me think, and both sides of the course, ethics and medicine, were brilliant. I will certainly be able to apply these skills. The teachers were brilliant’
‘I learnt lots of new things and it was interactive which made it more fun. It really made you think and it was also really nice to meet new people’
Book a place
The fee for the Medical Ethics Masterclass is £85. If the Medical Ethics Masterclass is booked together with any another medical Masterclass the cost is £155 . If three courses are booked together the cost is £195.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries for students who would otherwise have difficulty attending. To book a place please email info@debatechamber.com, call 0845 519 4827 or use the form below.
If you are a teacher interested in holding a Medical Ethics event at your school please click here.