Exploring Medical Ethics: The Real-Life Dilemmas of Healthcare | High School

This course is best suited for teens who are:
👍In need of a high school credit that is engaging
👍Ready to participate in discussion and presentations
👍Looking ahead to college courses in health science 
👍Interested in a career in healthcare

Classes are led by an expert guide:
👍A veteran teacher with over 20 years experience at the college and high school level 
👍A chiropractor and acupuncturist who loves to talk about medical cases

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀
This seminar course is learner-based, emphasizing group discussion and sharing ideas. Before each class, learners will be prompted to research and prepare for the upcoming topic.  Each class will start with an introduction to the topic and relevant background information will be presented.  During class, learners are encouraged to share their research findings and discuss their thoughts.  Class ends with an engaging review or closing activity.

🌟𝙇𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙀𝙍𝙎 𝘾𝘼𝙉 𝙅𝙐𝙈𝙋 𝙄𝙉 𝘼𝙏 𝘼𝙉𝙔 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀! 🌟

Each class is independent of others. No experience is needed.  This series runs just like a full semester course, but with the flexibility and convenience of ongoing enrollment.  Classes meet once per week.  Topics rotate every semester.

𝗧𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗕𝗬 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 (Fall Semester)
✴️ Week of September 8:   “Above All, Do No Harm”
Doctors take an oath to do no harm, but this is not always what happens.  This class explores real-life cases of negligence and substandard care.  We discuss strategies healthcare workers can take to minimize risk and ensure patient safety.

✴️ Week of September 15:   “To Tell or Not to Tell”
Doctors are legally and ethically obligated to protect patient privacy.  While confidentiality is paramount, there are situations where it may be broken.  This class takes a look at situations where patient confidentiality is breached, causing harm, as well as situations where disclosure could have saved lives.

✴️ Week of September 22:   “The Business of Healthcare”
No wonder they call it “Big Pharma”!  Healthcare is a trillion dollar industry.  How do providers, pharmaceutical and health insurance companies put patients first while still watching their bottom line?

✴️ Week September 29:  “The Ethics of Animal Testing”
The phrase "Above all, do no harm" is central to medical ethics, but how does it apply to medical research on animals? This class explores the ethics of animal testing, examining the value we place on both human and animal life. We also discuss viable alternatives to animal testing, focusing on methods that minimize harm while still advancing scientific progress.  

✴️ Week of October 6:   “Are You Going to Be Needing That Kidney?” 
This class examines the decision process behind organ donation and procurement.  Does the alcoholic deserve a new liver just as much as anyone else?  We also examine the reasons behind organ shortages and solutions to bridge the gap.

✴️ Week of October 13:  “ You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Equality is not the same as equity.  When resources are limited, how is healthcare allocated fairly?   When there aren’t enough vaccines to go around, who gets the first shot?  This class explores the concepts of justice and utilitarianism in the context of healthcare distribution. 
 
✴️ Week of October 20:  “Discrimination in Medicine”
Patients often "shop" for the best doctor, but is a doctor allowed to choose who to treat or refuse treatment to others? We will present case scenarios to illustrate discrimination based on race, sexual preference, and disease, and discuss an ethical approach to each situation.

✴️ Week of October 27:  “For the Greater Good” 
"The end justifies the means," or does it?  In this class, we explore how deontology and utilitarianism influence healthcare decisions in public health.  Is it okay to harm a few for the benefit of the many?

✴️ Week of November 3:  “Who’s the Boss?”
A doctor may know what’s best, but are they always right?  In this class, we examine cases where patient autonomy is undermined.  We explore the concepts of capacity, consent, and competence.

✴️ Week of November 10:  “Am I Dead Yet?”  
There was a time in medicine when determining death was straightforward.  However, with today’s medical advancements, the line between life and death has become blurred. This class will present real-life cases that illustrate the conflicts that arise when there is disagreement about when someone is truly dead.

✴️ Week of November 17:  “Death with Dignity”
People often "put down" their beloved pets, so why not a beloved human family member? This class explores the reasons behind euthanasia and right-to-die laws. Topics include medical futility, the nature of suffering, and the sanctity of life.

✴️ Week of November 24:  “So You Want to Have a Baby”
The world’s first "test tube baby" is nearly 50 years old, and medicine has made significant advancements in assisting those struggling with infertility. This class examines cases that fall in the ethical gray area, including the right to procreate, the moral status of embryos, and the exploitation of surrogates.

✴️ Week of December 1:  “Abortion - Laws, Ethics and Realities”
In this class, we examine landmark cases such as Roe v. Wade (1973) and the 2022 case that overturned it.  We explore the implications of abortion law on individuals and society.  

✴️ Week of December 8:  “Super Baby!  The Science of Selective Reproduction”
We can cure certain diseases before a person is even born, but how far should this go? From eugenics to gene therapy to designer babies, this class explores the history of reproductive technologies.

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨
⭐  As per Outschool policy, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬-𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘴.  I encourage webcams to stay on during class, but it is not mandatory.  
⭐  If a learner needs to miss a class, please let me know in advance.  Learners who miss a class have access to class material and recordings.  Transfers or refunds for the week are an option.