Ethics and Interprofessional Education:An Exploration Across Health Professions Education Programs

ABSTRACT

Classroom-based ethics education, in health professions education programs at a university in the United States, was explored in a pilot study to determine a basis for creating an interprofessional experience for ethics education. Course faculty were interviewed using a semi-structured guide, and data were qualitatively analyzed. There was some overlap, but more variation, across the programs with regard to content covered, learning objectives, and pedagogy. An opportunity exists for greater comprehensiveness and consistency across the programs. Drawing on the results of our study, we propose an approach to interprofessional education for ethics. This approach includes interprofessional small group discussions focused on management strategies for ethical dilemmas relevant to all represented healthcare professions. Ethics is an ideal starting point for interprofessional education, because it is central to all health professions’ education and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethics
• interprofessional education
• health professions education
• ethics curriculum

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sulochana Naidoo

Sulochana Naidoo is the Associate Director, Global Education for Duke-NUS, and is responsible for oversight of undergraduate medical education between Duke University School of Medicine and Duke-NUS Medical School (Singapore).

Kathleen M. Turner

Dr. Kathleen M. Turner is an Associate Professor with the Duke University School of Nursing. She has over thirty years of experience in adult health / critical care, administration and education.

Diana B. McNeill

Diana B. McNeill is Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Director of Duke AHEAD (Academy of Health Professions Education and Academic Development).