THE-671G ORG ETHICS HLTHCARE PROF
Medical ethics has traditionally focused on the individual patient, the individual doctor, and the pa-tient-doctor relationship. However, today health care includes cooperation and collaboration with complex organizational settings-group practices, HMOs, JCAHO, VA, home care. Insurers and other third parties influence the exam room. Medicare shapes care for people who are elderly and/or disabled; Medicaid does the same for those who are poor. The cultures and policies of healthcare facilities affect the experience patients will have, for both better and worse. The ethical quality of health care is profoundly influenced by the ethics of organizations. This course will examine the foundations of organizational ethics and search for best practices. Prerequisite: THE 552 or 609 and THE 653.
Distribution
Theology/Philosophy