C.A.R.E.: an approach for teaching ethics in medicine

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Physician Education

Background:

• Increasing societal complexity leads to more ethical dilemmas for physicians.
• Medical education often lacks sufficient formal training in ethical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a structured framework for addressing clinical ethical dilemmas.
• To enhance ethical decision-making skills among physicians at all training levels.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of the C.A.R.E. (Consider, Acknowledge, Respond, Evaluate) four-question approach.
• Description of the framework's components and application in teaching scenarios.

Main Results:

• The C.A.R.E. model provides a practical tool for analyzing ethical issues.
• Examples demonstrate its utility in medical training and clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• The C.A.R.E. framework can significantly benefit medical education and clinical settings.
• The authors advocate for the adoption and evaluation of this ethical decision-making model.