Ethics and Spirituality at the End of Life

Code:

MCP_03

Acronym:

EEFV

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S (of 01-09-2020 to 06-02-2021)

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCP	40	Current Studies Plan	1	-	5	45	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Knowledge: The essential aim of the Curricular Unit of Ethics and Spirituality at the End of Life is that the student acquires the necessary knowledge in health care and spiritual ethics, especially in what concerns the ethical dimension of health and of disease and its relation with the healthcare professions. In the plan of the concepts the aims are the acquisition of the more representative ethical theories of human thought.

Skills: With this curricular unit the medical student must gather the necessary skills for a responsible exercise of palliative care. The student must be adequately informed about the norms of professional ethics so that his practice is in accordance with the ethical principles of palliative care.

Learning outcomes and competences

The syllabus is in accordance with the most important theories in the area of ethics and spirituality. In this way coherence with the curricular unit’s intended learning outcomes is demonstrated since the syllabus is a necessary condition so that the student acquires the adequate skills for a true capacitation in this area.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1- Distinction between ethics, morality and law. Main ethical theories.Concept of human dignity and fundamental human rights.

2- The patient/physician relation as a tacit agreement and a juridical obligation.

3- Ethical codes from several healthcare professions.

4- The principles of biomedical ethics (Beauchamp and Childress).

5- The ethical and juridical doctrine of informed consent as the materialization of the respect for individual self-determination. Express and presumed consent.

6- Palliative Care as a response to a terminal's disease suffering

7- Withholding and withdrawing of disproportionate (heroic/futile) means of treatment.

8- Distinction between euthanasia and the withholding of disproportionate means of treatment.

9- The exercise of spirituality as a tool for an adequate adaptation at the end of life.

Mandatory literature

Nunes, R.; Bioética, Coimbra: Gráfica de Coimbra, 2010
Beauchamp, T., & Childress, J. ; Principles of Biomedical Ethics., Oxford University Press, 2001
Gillon, R. ; Principles of Health Care Ethics, Londres: Wiley, 1994
Nunes, R., & Brandão, C. ; Humanização da Saúde, Coimbra: Gráfica de Coimbra, 2007
Nunes, R. ; Testamento Vital, Coimbra: Almedina, 2011

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; and d) Presentation of Case-Problems by the students.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	90,00
Trabalho escrito	45,00
Total:	135,00

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

Final Exam - 100%