Audience
This fellowship is designed for physicians who want to expand their background and knowledge of medical ethics and physician professionalism. Understanding the history, role, and practical applications of medical ethics and professionalism is an important asset for physicians who are in leadership positions on ethics committees, Privacy Boards, or Institutional Review Boards. Non-physicians are also eligible.
Expert faculty
Fellowship courses are taught by expert faculty from the American Medical Association and the Medical College of Wisconsin. In addition, guest lecturers from the international ethics community are regularly scheduled to provide additional insight on their areas of expertise.
Benefits
- The online program accomodates physicians practicing anywhere in the world.
- Fellows receive graduate degree credits for each course. Upon completion of 4 courses and the on-site visit, a fellowship certificate is issued.
- Graduate credits earned may be transferrable toward a Master of Arts in Bioethics from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences of the Medical College of Wisconsin or to another accredited graduate school. Some courses may also offer continuing medical education (CME) credit.
- As part of the fellowship, participants will attend a four-day seminar series at AMA headquarters in Chicago during the June House of Delegates meeting. There will be opportunities to attend seminars, meet leaders in the field of bioethics, and experience how the AMA establishes ethics policy and the code of ethics that sets the standard for physician professionalism.
Application process
- Apply to the fellowship using the Medical College of Wisconsin's Non-Degree Application Procedure.
- For questions about application and registration, please contact Kristen Tym, Program Coordinator, MCW Graduate Program in Bioethics.
Cost
- Per credit cost available on MCW Graduate School Web site. (Successful completion of the fellowship requires 12 credits).
- Books and materials.
- Airfare, lodging, and meals for the four-day onsite visit to the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago in June.
Technical requirements
The minimum technical requirements for the program include:
- Personal computer.
- Latest version of web browser, version 5 or higher.
- Microsoft Office 2000 or newer.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- CD-ROM drive.
- Sound card with speakers or head-set.
- E-mail accessibility.
- Minimum 56 K modem connection to the Internet (broadband connection recommended).
- Printer.
In addition to the technical requirements above, students must know how to:
- Access and use the Internet, e-mail, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and RealPlayer.
- Work with e-mail attachments.
- Contact their Internet Service Provider (ISP) for technical assistance on Internet connection and tools.
Fellowship requirements
The fellowship program consists of two required components:
| 1. | A didactic component consisting of four online courses in bioethics. These are masters-level courses, 3-credit hours each. Two courses are required: |
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| Two additional electives are chosen by the student depending upon individual interests. | |
| 2. | An experiential component consisting of a four-day onsite visit to the AMA in Chicago, IL, during the summer annual meeting of the AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs and House of Delegates. (This meeting is usually in early June.) |
Sample course descriptions
The History and Meaning of Ethics and Professionalism in Medicine (3 credits, required)
This course surveys historic and contemporary definitions of professionalism, the social roles of physicians, the roles of professional associations and the evolution of codes of ethics in medicine.
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
This course reviews the terminology, resources and frameworks of ethical analysis in biomedical ethics and will develop ethical problem-solving skills through extensive case study analysis. Topics include the theory and practice of informed consent, end-of-life decision-making, physician-assisted suicide, pediatric ethical dilemmas, resource allocation, issues in managed care, research ethics and environmental ethics.
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
This course covers the basic concepts and terminology of Western theoretical philosophical ethics and their application to bioethics.
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
This course introduces legal principles and precedents in bioethics, emphasizing case and statutory law regarding informed consent, end-of-life decisions and fiduciary relationships.
Justice and Healthcare (3 credits)
This course examines critical bioethical issues as they relate to the principle and concept of justice. Topics include health and health care, rationing, the form and substance of a national health policy, and managed care.
Introduction to Research Ethics (3 credits)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ethical issues involved in scientific, animal and human subjects research and satisfies the United States Public Health Service Policy on Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research for institutions receiving research funds from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Special Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
This course focuses on topics of special interest in bioethics. Examples of topics include ethics at the end of life, ethical issues in mental health, autonomy and coercion, and political issues in bioethics.
Onsite Visit to AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago (required)
The onsite component of the fellowship allows participants to experience how the AMA creates ethics policy through its Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) and House of Delegates (HOD). Onsite seminars will give fellows an overview of AMA organization and policymaking. At CEJA and HOD sessions, fellows will observe how issues pertinent to organized medicine are debated at the AMA. Experts will deliver presentations on current ethical topics.
For more information, please fill out our Request for Information form.
Content provided by: Institute for Ethics