drawing of headphones Module 4 – Unit 7:  Listening Task  click to Listen

Ethics and Morality in Medical Schools

Think About It   Are physicians the most qualified people to teach medical ethics? Who do you think should be responsible for guiding ethical and moral decisions in health care?

Answer the following questions.

  1. What do “ethics” and “morality” refer to? Are they the same?
  1. What are some examples of ethical and moral issues in health care? Write a few examples in question form in the table below.

Ethical and Moral Issues in Health Care

Should physicians always tell terminally ill persons that they are dying?

You will hear a recorded radio broadcast from National Public Radio (NPR) titled Med Schools Add Ethics, Morality to Curriculum, a report on the teaching of ethics in medical schools. Two medical students, a neurologist, and a sociologist describe the difficulties that medical students have in learning to make ethical decisions. Listen and answer the questions below.

First Listening  

  1. How did Tien Ping, the male medical student, feel after he got the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order on his patient?
  1. According to studies, how much do medical students improve their moral development by the time they finish medical school?
  1. Does Bret Hafferty, the medical sociologist, believe that medical students are getting the help they need to develop a “mature moral orientation”?

Second Listening  

  1. What percentage of medical students in the study carried out a decade ago said that they had done something unethical?
  1. What kinds of pressures do medical students face making moral and ethical decisions?
  1. Who does Bret Hafferty, the medical sociologist, think should be responsible for teaching medical students to make moral and ethical decisions?
  1. Do you agree with Bret’s view? Who do you think should be responsible for preparing future health professionals to make difficult decisions? How should they be prepared?

Consider the teaching and guidance you received when you studied for your health profession. Did you receive any lessons or guidance on the ethics of your profession? How have you handled difficult decisions in your health care field?