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Ethics across the occupational therapy curriculum
P A DeMars1, J D Fleming, P A Benham
1Occupational Therapy Department, College of Saint Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota 55105.
Summary
This study developed teaching methods to enhance ethical awareness and decision-making skills in occupational therapy students. Results show improved student sensitivity to ethical issues and professional complexities in practice.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Therapy Education
- Medical Ethics Education
Background:
- Ethical practice is crucial in occupational therapy.
- Developing ethical reasoning skills is a key educational objective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement teaching modules and methods to enhance ethical consciousness and decision-making in occupational therapy students.
- To integrate ethics education throughout a 2-year occupational therapy curriculum.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three ethical decision-making and thinking models.
- Developed specific teaching modules, methods, and techniques.
- Integrated ethics into the entire curriculum.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated increased student sensitivity and ability to identify ethical issues.
- Showcased heightened awareness of professional complexities in ethical decision-making.
- Gathered positive feedback from students and faculty.
Conclusions:
- The developed curriculum effectively improved students' ethical awareness and decision-making capabilities.
- Ethics education is integral to preparing competent occupational therapists.
- The approach fostered a proactive response to ethical challenges in practice.