Introduction

Ethical theories provide a clear set of principles or approaches to help determine the right or wrong action. Ethical theories are useful in healthcare settings as they offer frameworks for making sound moral decisions. In healthcare, the most common approach is principlism, but other ethical theories, including consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and communitarian ethics, such as ubuntu, Confucianism, and Islamic medical ethics, also provide valuable perspectives. As will be explored in this course, many values and virtues can be considered universal and no ethical theory or philosophical concept needs to compete with another. However, different theories must be viewed, interpreted, and applied in light of contextual, societal, political, religious, and historical dimensions.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• differentiate between ethical theories in healthcare contexts, including deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, principlism, contractualism and the ethics of care
• discuss communitarian ethical frameworks, such as Confucian ethics, Ubuntu and Islamic medical ethics, considering their emphasis on community relationships, familial involvement and collective decision-making in healthcare contexts

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 1-1.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 1.2 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Instructor financial and non-financial disclosures

No relevant relationships disclosed by instructor.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.