Ethics and Deontology

Code:

BIO_3

Acronym:

ED

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Ethics in Health Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Bioethics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MBIOETIC	0	Current Studies Plan	1	-	6	55	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The essential aim of the Curricular Unit of Ethics and Deontology is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in Ethical Principles of the Practice of Health Professions.  In the conceptual plan the aims are the acquisition and knowledge of the core concepts in the area of professional ethics, promoting a careful ethical reflection on the principles that support their actions.

Learning outcomes and competences

With this curricular unit, the student must gather the necessary skills for understanding any area in Ethics and Deontology. Moreover the student must be adequately prepared to make a regular update in these areas.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- The patient/physician relation as a tacit agreement and a juridical obligation. Fundamental rights and obligations of health professionals.

2- Ethical codes from several health professions.

3- The confidentiality of the clinical practice and its relation with the concept of the right to privacy. Professional secrecy. The clinical file and the clinical process. Nature of deontological rules. Ethics Code.

4- Medical ethics concerning HIV/AIDS infection. Potential situation of conflict of values. Individual right vs. community protection. Universal fluids precautions of healthcare professionals.  

5- Origin of professional responsibility. Informed consent and liability.

6- Civil, criminal and administrative liability. Defensive medicine and its implication on the increase of healthcare expenditure.

7- Distinction between accident, neglect and intentional misshapen.

Mandatory literature

Ricou, M., & Marina, S.; Decision making and ethical reasoning in psychology, Psychology in Russia: State of the Art, 13(1), 2–10, 2020
Ricou, M., & Wainwright, T.; The Psychology of Euthanasia Why There Are No Easy Answers, European Psychologist, 24, 243–256, 2019
Ricou, M.; A Ética e a Deontologia no Exercício da Psicologia, Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses, 2014
Mill, J.S.; Utilitarismo, Lisboa: Lisboa Editora, 2004
Nunes, R. & Rego, G.; Prioridades na saúde, Lisboa: McGraw-Hill de Portugal, Lda, 2002
Engelhardt, H.T.; Fundamentos da Bioética, São Paulo: Edições Loyola, 1998
Singer, P.; Ética Prática, 1ª edição brasileira. São Paulo: Livraria Martins Fontes Editora, Lda., 1994
Rawls, J.; Uma teoria da justiça, Lisboa: Editorial Presença, 1993

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methodologies have different strategies:

a) Theoretical Lectures: about different themes related to the Curricular Unit;
b) Seminars: Prepared and guided discussion of specific themes, defined in advance, with the participation of professors and students;
c) Group Work: Pedagogical activity of analysis and problem solving, orientated by the professors and actively prepared by the students;
d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	50,00
Exame	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	51,00
Trabalho escrito	51,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The Continuous Assessment is performed by the responsible professor for the group of students who attend the Curricular Unit. An assessment of the whole pedagogical process and of the evolution of each student's capacities is at stake: Evolution in the communication skills, evolution of the human relation, of the regular attendance in the Curricular Unit, of the interest and participation in the pedagogic process, and, finally, of the theoretical and practical knowledge. It is possible to make use of audio-visual techniques.

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final Assessment of the curricular unit is made by the Continuous Assessment (50%) and a Final Examination that evaluates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge (50%).