Discussion Course
Week 1:
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Values Based Decision Making”
Is this case making a mountain out of a mole hill? Perhaps. Yet slowing things
down in a more formal manner surfaces issues that might have remained
submerged if Alice had simply spoken to the nurse recruiter. A VBDM process
provides the opportunity to develop a consistent pattern of moral reasoning
that can be used as transparent evidence that at least the problem has been
considered from many perspectives. What did the recruiter do wrong? What
values are at stake here? As you answer, use the “Steps for Values Based
Decision Making” handout to organize your response.
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
The video “What is Unique about Catholic Healthcare?” states that healing
should be “directed in an explicit way towards all of our fellow human beings
in their moments of deepest vulnerability.” What does this statement mean to
you? Reflect and explain.
Asses. What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length
Week 2
- Case Study Forum: “Health Care Advertising”
Read the case study “Health Care Advertising.” Find either your current employers mission
statement (or any Health Care Providers mission statement) and analyze that mission statement
from a virtue theories perspective. What virtues important for health care (you may wish to
consult Rachels’ Chapter 13, the video from last week, or the HCE text) do you find present in
the mission statement? What virtues are lacking? (250-300 words)
- Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
As a patient or as a family member of a patient, what virtues would you expect of a nurse? Is it reasonable to expect those virtues? (250-300 words)
Assess: What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length. (250-300 words)
Week 3
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Ethical Issues in Home Care”
According to deontological ethics, what is Wanda doing wrong regarding Mary?
What types of virtues Wanda ought to be practicing according to the
deontologist (and the case study)? In what other ways does “personalism”
factor into the case study provided?
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
Some nursing students cheat on examinations. This implies an absence of
virtue, but also, according to deontology, it is categorically wrong. Many
believe that those individuals who cheated on their nursing exams cannot be
trusted to be honest about the care they give to patients, because they may
endanger patients by lying to protect themselves about errors or omissions of
treatment. Do you think that dishonest students should be denied a license to
practice nursing? What is the responsibility of other students who know about
the cheating?
Assess: What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length.
Week 4
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Allocating Scarce Resources during
Emergencies: Lessons from the Flu Vaccine Shortage”
Society has the duty to provide a just allocation of different types of health
services, taking into account the competing claims of different types of health
needs. Each person is entitled to a fair share of such services, however there
are, in many cases, limited resources. How would a utilitarian look at the “Flu
Vaccine Shortage Case”? (250-300 words)
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
The beginning of Chapter 9 discusses a fundamental “tension” that can arise
when scientific inquiry is pitted against the protection of individual human
beings. In your own words, explain how utilitarianism fits into the picture
here. Then, think of a time when you had to evaluate an ethical decision
where no absolutely fair result was possible. Did you use
utilitarian/consequentialist reasoning? Could you have? (250-300 words)
Assess: What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length.
Week 5
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Baby Jones”
What do you think was ethically at stake in the case of Baby Jones? Was the
case appropriately handled? Why or why not? (250-300 words)
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
What do you think (or imagine to be) the most challenging ethical aspect of the
medical profession as you personally will (or do) encounter it. Use discretion in
your response, but use this opportunity to open up and challenge your own
sense of values as you identify what situations specifically might challenge your
own ethics and values. What concepts or even ethical theories that you have
learned so far in this course do you think may assist you in meeting those
challenges? (250-300 words)
Assess.: What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length.
Week 6
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Vent Removal”
What ethical issues are at stake in the case of “Vent Removal?” What formal criteria
should be used to evaluate those issues, according to Chapters 10 & 11? What
ethically is at issue here? (250-300 words)
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
Explain the debate concerning forgoing ANH, especially from a Catholic perspective
(pages 295-298). What is the major issue? What are your thoughts concerning this
debate? Despite there being debate, what is the most basic good involved here? (250-300 words)
Assess: What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson?” and “What important question remains unanswered?” This should be at least one page in length.
Week 7
Discussion: Case Study Forum “Phoenix Case”
Analyze the “Phoenix Case” and how the moral principle of “double effect “comes
into play. As you answer, use the “Steps for Values Based Decision Making”
handout to organize your response. (250-300 words)
Discussion: Personal Experience Reflection
Discuss some of the financial hardships involved with reproductive technologies,
especially IVF. How are these financial considerations tied to issues of economics
and social justice? What are your thoughts on this issue? (250-300 words)
Assess: Discussion 7C: Insight into this Course
As the course ends, there is great merit to taking a step back and considering what you have learned over the last several weeks. This reflective practice helps you articulate your learning experience, helping you better understand what was most significant from your perspective and helping your course facilitator recognize the components of the course that had the greatest impact on you and your classmates.
Please reflect on the following: What thing did you learn that you did not already know? What might you have learned that was unexpected or surprising? What take-away from this course do you believe you will immediately put into practice – be it in your workplace, your home life, and/or your ongoing work as a student?
