Medical ethics and the clinical curriculum: a case study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Bioethics

Background:

• Few British medical schools integrate formal medical ethics into the clinical curriculum.
• Implementing ethics education faces institutional challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a compulsory first-year medical ethics program at University College and Middlesex Hospital Joint Medical School.
• To outline pedagogical lessons learned from planning and implementation.
• To discuss institutional obstacles and strategies for success.

Main Methods:

• Curriculum development and integration into a joint medical school program.
• Gaining approval from the long-term curriculum committee.
• Developing teaching and assessment materials.
• Analyzing institutional challenges and proposing solutions.

Main Results:

• A formal, compulsory medical ethics program was successfully established for first-year students.
• Pedagogical insights regarding planning, implementation, and assessment were gained.
• Institutional obstacles including timetabling and opposition were identified.

Conclusions:

• Integrating medical ethics into the core curriculum is feasible and valuable.
• Strategic planning, including building alliances with clinical staff, is crucial for overcoming institutional barriers.
• The described program and lessons learned can inform other institutions.