2.1: Phronesis in Medicine

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 2.1

Phronesis in Medicine

Phronesis is an important concept in virtue ethics. Phronesis is using practical wisdom to act virtuously.

In Activity 2 of this unit, we would like you to research the events of the mid-Staffordshire hospital scandal which occurred in the latter part of the 2000s. Following your research, answer the questions:

1. How far were the problems and issues which occurred a result of a lack of virtue?

2. What sort of measures can be taken and what are the key points to learn from this scandal to ensure it is not repeated?

Share your thoughts below.

Unit 3: Reflection

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 3

Reflection

Please use these discussion boards to interact with your fellow learners. The discussion boards provide a unique opportunity for learners to debate ideas and thoughts generated by the ‘Character in the Professions: Medicine’ course and reflect on the application of theory discussed in your professional lives.

Unit 3 is your opportunity to pause and engage in an active ‘Reflection’ about what you have studied. 

You may find it useful now to go back to the questions you answered at the beginning of the course and reflect on your thoughts. Do your thoughts differ now to when you started the course?

Begin by taking the below Quiz to check your learning and understanding.

Refer back to the dilemmas posed in Unit 2.5 and use the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics ‘Making an Ethical Decision’ app to work through the dilemma. State which dilemma you have tackled and discuss below.

Select one of the following statements and debate either for or against it on the discussion boards:

1. "To be a good doctor, one must always be a virtuous person."
2. "To bring more positive ethical behaviour into the medical profession, we require more formal character education."
3. "Doctors would be happier if their context of practice better enabled virtuous practice."

Other suggested activities are available, which your course tutor may direct you to.

Please post your comments below and join the discussion. 

2.6: Good Medical Practice

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 2.6

Good Medical Practice

Review the General Medical Council Good Medical Practice guidelines available below:

Consider the ‘you must’ and ‘you should’ terms used in Good Medical Practice.

Design your own ethical dilemma scenario which challenges the compliance with the 'you must' or 'you should' terms. Create a list of actions available for a medical professional and ask a fellow student to read your dilemma and choose a choice of action.

Discuss your answers below:

2.4: Role Models

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 2.4

Role Models

Please use these discussion boards to interact with your fellow learners. The discussion boards provide a unique opportunity for learners to debate ideas and thoughts generated by the ‘Character in the Professions: Medicine’ course and reflect on the application of theory discussed in your professional lives.

Unit 2.4 looks at the importance of ‘Role Models’ as individuals who can set positive examples for others, and who can be admired for their positive qualities or contributions.

Activity 1 invites you to think about who you see as role models in your place of work or study. Can you list 5 qualities of character that each role model displays? Why do you notice those qualities of character in those people? When do they demonstrate these qualities of character?

Activity 2 looks at negative role models. Is there anyone who has influenced you through negative actions, and helped shape who you do not want to become?

Please post your comments below and join the discussion.

2.3: Personal Character Strengths

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 2.3

Personal Character Strengths

Please use these discussion boards to interact with your fellow learners. The discussion boards provide a unique opportunity for learners to debate ideas and thoughts generated by the ‘Character in the Professions: Medicine’ course and reflect on the application of theory discussed in your professional lives.

Unit 2.3 investigates ‘Personal Character Strengths’ with reference to the well-used ‘Values in Action’ survey. Take the survey and self-report your own character strengths.

Activity 2 challenges you to think of a time when you have been required to use one or more of the character strengths which appear in your top 5 from the VIA.
Discuss how you used those character strengths below. Did the virtues compete with one another at any point?

Activity 3 looks at Bystander Effect.

Watch the video and join the discussion:

Why do you think so many people ignored the man in ‘distress’?

Think of an example where you had the opportunity to act virtuously but failed to do so and chose an 'easier' option. Why did you act in the way that you did? What would it take for you to act in a ‘more virtuous’ way?

Please post your comments below and join the discussion. 

2.2: Doctors in the News

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 2.2

Doctors in the News

Please use these discussion boards to interact with your fellow learners. The discussion boards provide a unique opportunity for learners to debate ideas and thoughts generated by the ‘Character in the Professions: Medicine’ course and reflect on the application of theory discussed in your professional lives.

Are doctors required to be virtuous all of the time?

Can one be a virtuous doctor if one is not a virtuous person?

Can one be a virtuous person if one is not a virtuous doctor?

Unit 2.2 investigates ‘Doctors in the News’. Activity 4 asks you to refer back to the examples presented in Activity 1. Select one of the 10 examples where the doctor(s) have behaved virtuously. Which qualities of character has the doctor shown?

Do you think that all doctors should routinely behave in these ways?

Is it possible to be a virtuous medical professional and not be a virtuous person? If so, why? If not, why not?

Activity 5 focuses on cases 1-6 from Activity 1. Having reviewed the cases as if they were journalist pieces commenting on an absence of virtue in each scenario, consider the following questions:

1. What impact may each report have on the notion of virtue in the medical profession among members of the general public?
2. Do cases 8-10 provide a counterbalance to the examples of vice in the profession, or are they simply examples of "good people" rather than "good doctors"?

Please post your comments below and join the discussion.

1.5: Why Does Character Matter?

Character in the Professions: Medicine

Discussion Board Unit 1.5

Why Does Character Matter?

Please use these discussion boards to interact with your fellow learners. The discussion boards provide a unique opportunity for learners to debate ideas and thoughts generated by the ‘Character in the Professions: Medicine’ course and reflect on the application of theory discussed in your professional lives.

Unit 1.5 asks ‘Why Does Character Matter?’ 

Activity 1 asks you to download the worksheet and discuss the ways in which character was taught and developed at your school or college.

What are challenges or drawbacks to teaching character?

Is character best taught as a discrete subject in its own right, or as part of a whole school ethos and throughout the curriculum? You may wish to refer to some Jubilee Centre publications and resources to inform your thinking.

Can character be developed outside of the classroom and school environment?

Which environment has had the greatest impact on your own character development? Why?

Activity 3 asks you think about the benefits of acting in a virtuous way. Complete the following and discuss with your colleagues:

Activity 4 asks what would you differently with regards your own character development? Were there any missed opportunities to develop your character at school, or home?

Please post your comments below and join the discussion.