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  • University of Exeter

Ethical Decision-Making in Care

Raise your awareness of everyday ethical issues in care and learn techniques to make ethical decisions.

4,024 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    4 weeks
  • Weekly study

    2 hours
  • Accreditation

    AvailableMore info

Learn how to use ethical frameworks to make decisions in care

On this course, you’ll explore ethical issues that arise in daily care, and learn the best practices for reflecting on and making moral decisions.

You’ll consider different ethical frameworks, including human rights, virtue ethics and the ‘Four Principles’ of medical ethics: nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, and respect for autonomy.

You’ll compare methods of analysing a caregiving scenario, and identify the moral and ethical problems of a care situation. You’ll also learn how to apply a deliberative framework, where deliberation on a decision from multiple points of view is essential.

What topics will you cover?

Different ethical frameworks:

  • Four Principles of Biomedical Ethics
  • Human Rights
  • Virtue Ethics
  • ETHICS Deliberative Framework

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the meaning of 'ethics' in relation to care.
  • Explain how ethics differs from related concepts.
  • Explain The Four Principles Approach to care ethics.
  • Apply the Four Principles to a midwifery scenario.
  • Identify why ethics in care now receives a lot of media attention.
  • Describe human rights frameworks that impact on care-giving.
  • Evaluate the role of human rights in care.
  • Apply insights in human rights to decision-making regarding disagreements in care.
  • Describe the key elements of Virtue Ethics.
  • Identify moral problems that arise in care.
  • Debate the usefulness of Virtue Ethics in relating to care-recipient choices.
  • Apply Virtue Ethics to public health decision-making.
  • Identify ethical aspects of an elder care scenario.
  • Compare and contrast three different ways of analysing an elder care scenario.
  • Apply a Deliberative Framework to care-giving scenarios.
  • Discuss the role of ethical decision-making in care during a pandemic.
  • Reflect on your learning from this course.

Who is the course for?

This course is primarily designed for caregivers, care assistants and nurses.

However, the course will also be of interest to anyone engaged in health and social care, or who uses health and social care services.

Who developed the course?

University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. Surrey empowers students for personal and professional success by providing exceptional teaching and practical learning.

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university. It combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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