Life, Illness and Death

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COURSE TITLE:

Life, Illness and Death

COURSE OVERVIEW:

This course is part of the Certificate in Health Care Ethics, a 4-course graduate certificate available through UWF's School of Allied Health and Life Sciences. All area health care practitioners or students of health care are encouraged to enroll. The focus of this certificate is on critical ethical issues facing health care providers, patients and their families. Dr. Gretchen Norling currently serves as the Director of the Association for Health Care Ethics. The certificate consists of four related courses that deal with currently important issues in health care ethics:
1. Current Issues in Medicine - This course focuses on an examination of philosophical issues that arise in conceptualizing the aims and practices of medicine.
2. Life, Illness and Death - This course will explore conflicting world views related to the confrontation of illness, suffering and death in the health care setting. Clinically relevant case studies will be employed.
3. Theoretical Foundations of Health Care Ethics - This is a course illuminating major ethical theories and their relation to health care ethics. The application and viability of these theoretical models will be tested with respect to training and professional practice in health care.
4. Clinical Ethics Grand Rounds - Students will participate in grand rounds with specified health care professionals. In response to various cases presented at ethics grand rounds, students will participate in mock round table bioethics consultations and committees. A clinical ethics case study is required.

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Grethchen Norling, Ph.D.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

gnorling@uwf.edu

PREREQUISITES OR COREQUISITES:

Those interested in this course and/or the Health Care Ethics Certificate Program should contact Dr. Gretchen Norling at gnorling@uwf.edu.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the worldviews of patients and health care providers which influence how both confront illness, suffering, and death.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (Objectives):

Students will be given ‘tools’ to help elucidate the impact of patients’ and their own worldviews on the practice of health care.

TOPICS COVERED:

1. Some examination of pertinent worldviews affecting our understanding and experience of illness, pain, suffering, and death.
2. Discussion of death-with-dignity debate and palliative care at the end of life.
3. Case studies regarding such themes as futile care, quality of life, DNR, advance directives.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

• Dying Well: Peace and Possibilities at the End of Life. Ira Byock, M.D., Riverhead. [ISBN 1-57-322657-2]
• Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness. Joanne Lynn (Editor), Oxford University Press. [ISBN: 0-19-514601-8]

GRADING/EVALUATION:

• 25% 5-10 page paper expositing and analyzing one’s own worldview regarding themes such as illness, suffering, and death.
• 25% 2-5 page case study from practitioner’s experience which illustrates the difficulties when the patient and provider’s worldview’s clash.
• 25% attendance, attentiveness to individual needs and comments, bringing of helpful, germane materials to class, participation.
• 25% Take Home Final Exam