Unit offering the major: Institute of Physiotherapy – Opole Medical

Unit offering the major: Institute of Physiotherapy – Opole Medical School
Undergraduate
studies
Course code:
Year of study: I
Semestr: I
Field of study:
Physiotherapy
Speciality:
Course title: Elements of Philosophy and Ethics for Physiotherapists
The number of hours and the form of
classes: 30L, 30S
Number of credit points
allocated: ……
Unit giving the course: Institute of Physiotherapy
Name of teachers:
Lecture: Anna Czerner, Phd
Seminar: Anna Czerner, Phd
Prerequisites: Assessment procedures and performance criteria:
Numerical grading (written)
Lecture:
numerical grading
Seminar:
Objective of the course (expected learning outcomes and competences to be acquired):
The course addresses both a theoretical insight into ancient and contemporary philosophy and
ethical, pragmatic frames of physiotherapist’s work. Each class session (seminar) will be devoted to
discussion of the specific problem presented in the text. During the lectures students will be
provided with knowledge about some philosophical and ethical concepts related to the problems of
human body, values and social norms, nature, disease, aging and death, public trust, interactions and
communication. The focus is on the understanding how philosophy and ethics can be useful for
physiotherapists in their everyday work routine.
Course contents:
General issues: fundamental and common terms in philosophy and ethics. Comparison of
ethics and bioethics. Fetal development and the existence of a person – when does human
life begin? Defining death and the ethical controversies. Ordinary / forgoing treatment.
Euthanasia. Contemporary ethical challenges: artificial reproductive technologies,
biotechnology: non-human and organisms, cell-based biotechnologies. Empathetic and
effective communication with a patient. Workplace stress and mobbing. Ethical aspects of
clinical research.
Learning outcomes:
The course is designed to help students develop a conceptual framework that will provide
an understanding of the role of philosophy and ethics on their social reality, especially on
their further work as physiotherapists. Students will be expected to master skills in
identifying a broad range of philosophical, ethical and social problems in the field of
medicine, health care and life science. They will be able to provide rational justifications for
ethical decisions as well.
Recommended literature:
1. Marcum, J.A. 2008. An introductory philosophy of medicine: humanizing modern
medicine. New York: Springer.
2. Tong, R. 2007. New perspectives in health care ethics: an interdisciplinary and
crosscultural approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Contact: [email protected]