Center for Biomedical Ethics

ETHICS INSTRUCTION IN THE THIRD YEAR CLERKSHIPS

SURGERY CLERKSHIP

Informed decision-making  (“Informed Consent”)

At the end of this session, the student will:

• Understand the requirements of informed decision making in the surgical arena
• Be able to identify the information necessary to specific patients for informed participation in medical decision-making
• Value patient autonomy in medical decision making

Ethical issues related to new procedures

a. Innovative techniques
b. Issues related to training

• Student level
• Practicing physician level

At the end of this session, the student will:

Be aware of the ethical issues related to training, and to the introduction of new technologies

Be able to identify situations in which respectful patient care requires disclosure of such information

Be able to disclose issues relating to training and new technologies to patients

Readings (to be read before session):

 • Ethics of Surgical Innovation, G. Gillett, British Journal of Surgery 2001, 88, 897-898

• Reflections on Informed Consent:  40 Years After its Birth, Jay Katz, MD, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Vol. 186, No. 4, April 199, 466-474.