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Summary

This module will provide you with an excellent background knowledge to provide safe practice, or to develop an advanced interest in these areas in paediatrics and child health. For those working with children, and their parents, an accurate understanding of issues such as capacity, consent, confidentiality and decision-making through the various ages and neurodevelopmental states of children is required. Understanding of the Rights of children both with and without disability, the sources of law – relevant statute and common law - and the impact of religion/spirituality and different cultures will all be explored, along with some basic experience of giving evidence.Ìý

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:Ìý

• Understand ethical issues in child health, how to apply various ethical frameworks and the advantages/disadvantages of eachÌý

• Construct basic arguments and debate ethical issuesÌý

• Understand ethical controversies at the beginning and end-of-lifeÌý

• Gain a firm grasp of the pertinent law and its sourcesÌý

• Address ethical processes and bodiesÌý

• Gain core knowledge of research ethics, clinical trial regulation and governance together with how innovative treatment can be introduced in rare diseasesÌý

• Learn important contemporary ethical issues in organ donation, family-centred care/the limits of parental decision-making and health care funding/rationingÌý

• Learn about the role of faith and culture in ethics, and their consideration in lawÌý

• Learn how to give evidence and undergo cross examinationÌý

Who is this module for?

This module is optional on all Msc Paediatrics and Child Health pathways.ÌýAny Level 7 students interested in taking this as an optional module, please contact the Module leader.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Via face-to-face lectures, you will engage in interactive discussions and gain experience of coroner’s court (if this can be arranged). You are also expected to spend time on self-directed study.Ìý

Assessment

The module will be assessed by

1. a 3,000 word essay (70%)
2. an ethics subject presentation to peers and the bioethics team (10%)

(NB Impressive essays can be supported to submission to peer-reviewed journal by the bioethics team)