Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Ethics and Law in Physiotherapy
Other languages of instruction: Catalan
Teaching staff
Introduction
The subject is presented as an introductory course on ethics and its importance in the professional practice of the physiotherapist. Previous knowledge of philosophical anthropology is required. Ethics as philosophical knowledge allows us to reflect on free human action, ie on its moral dimension. Wisdom that is not limited to knowing what a person should do or should not do under certain circumstances but to helping us to discover and learn how to live so we can reach our full development as a person.
Pre-course requirements
Have knowledge of Philosophical Anthropology
Objectives
- Develop the ability to think and argue about ethical issues based on the analysis of the present situation.
- Provide conceptual tools to understand the importance of acquiring the principles and fundamental virtues: compassion, competence, confidence, trust.
- Discover the meaning and value of the fundamental principle of the dignity of the human person, particularly in areas related to illness or other vulnerable situations taking into consideration both the physical and mental limitations of the person
- Demonstrate the importance of interpersonal communication in the context of the therapeutic relationship.
- Make known the basics of professional legislation.
- Analyze the important implications of the social and cultural diversity for understanding disease and health.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 06 - To have comprehensive problem-solving skills.
- 07 - Demonstrate decision-making skills.
- 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
- 11 - The ability to adapt to new situations.
- 15 - Demonstrate a concern for quality.
- 17 - The ability to work responsibly and autonomously, so as to handle job-related activities without the need for strict supervision.
- 28.2 - Demonstrate Interpersonal skills.
- 28.3 - Show respect, appreciation and sensitivity towards the work of others.
- 29.1 - Demonstrate a committment to ongoing learning and self-improvement.
- 30.1 - Teamwork skills.
- 35 - Knowledge of the impact of socio-health policies on professional practice.
- 37 - Knowledge of ethics, legal and professional issues in physiotherapy practice.
- 37.2 - commitment to ethical conduct
- 37.5 - knowledge of the profession's deontological ethics codes
- 38 - Ability to incorporate ethical and legal principles into the professional culture.
Learning outcomes of the subject
1. Recognize ethical issues that arise in professional practice and identify the possible ethical conflicts and values presented in the light of the exercises performed in class.
2. Raise and solve issues regarding moral and professional ethics using the knowledge acquired in during the course.
3. Develop a critical thinking regarding the most common proposals and moral actions of the profession.
4. Know and respect the applicable law and ethical and deontological code of Physiotherapy
Syllabus
I. FUNDAMENTAL OF ETHICS
The rational foundation of ethics
The moral phenomenon
Freedom and autonomy
Good and dignity
Ethical rationality and moral judgments
Human conscience
Modalities of conscience
Principles to follow one's conscience.
Human action
Underlying principles of human acts
The lesser evil
Double effect
Cooperation to evil
The virtues and values
Nature and acquisition of virtue.
The fundamental virtues
Methodological principles of ethical decisions
Ethical components of human acts
Analysis of the moral decision of the health professional
Stages in the decision making process
Ethics of social life
Physical integrity and violence
Racial / sexual discrimination
Respect for privacy
II. ETHICS AND LEGISLATION
The law and the rights
The moral Law. Characteristics and contents
Distinction morality-legality
Human rights
Legislation of clinical practice
Principles of action
Medical records
Informed Consent (CI)
Professional secrecy
Legal responsibility
Judicial accountability and contracts
Conscientious objection
Assistance Ethics Committees
Limits in procedures
Ethical-deontological codes
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is usually taught through theoretical sessions (lectures) and practice sessions. The content of the lectures will consist of the main topics and concepts of the units which are detailed in the course syllabus. The classes will be based mainly on the analysis of texts, audiovisual documents and case studies that are intended to illustrate and deepen the concepts explained above.
1. Lecture: presentation of the contents of the program.
2. Study and resolution of cases.
3. Performing practices: critical reading of texts, audiovisual (individual and group presentations).
4. Implementation of a project: teamwork. Cooperative practices among peers.
5. Documents review: books, essays, articles, texts
6. Academic tutoring.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The course is approved with a 5. The overall score is obtained by making the weighted average of activities:
a) Exercises in class, attendance, communications, cases, text comments, practical exercise (40%).
b) Final exam (60%)
For these percentages to be applied, the student must score a minimum of 5 in each item.
Copying, forgery or fraud in individual written assignments or in teams, in attendance to classes, and/or in written or oral exams is a serious offense that carries the immediate failure of the course. If a course is repeated, disciplinary proceedings will be open to the author. DISCIPLINARY RULES FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF CATALUÑA. CHAPTER I. OF THE DISCIPLINARY OFFENCES. Article 2. ((g) h)
Honors qualifications will not be awarded during retakes.
Bibliography and resources
ALVIRA, R., Lo común y lo específico de la crisis moral actual. Cuadernos de Empresa y Humanismo. 1995, Cuaderno 57, Pág.2-16. http://hdl.handle.net/10171/3942.
AYLLON, J. R., Desfile de modelos. Análisis de la conducta ética, Rialp, Madrid 1998.
FERNÁNDEZ A., "La dimensión ética de la persona humana". Scripta Theologica. Año 1998, vol. 30 (1), p. 137-155. http://hdl.handle.net/10171/13308
D'AGOSTINO, F., Ética y Derecho entre lo moderno y lo postmoderno. Persona y Derecho, 42 (2000): 17-31. http://hdl.handle.net/10171/14122
LÉONARD, A., El fundamento de la moral: ensayo de ética filosófica general, Madrid, BAC, 1997.
LLANO, A., La vida lograda, Barcelona, Ariel, 2008.
LUÑO, A., Ética general, Eunsa, Pamplona 2001
PALACIOS, Juan Miguel , Bondad moral e inteligencia ética. Nueve ensayos de la ética de los valores. Encuentro, Madrid, 2008
RODRÍGUEZ LUÑO, Á., Ética general, Pamplona, EUNSA, 2010
SÁNCHEZ-MIGALLÓN, S., Ética filosófica: un curso introductorio, Pamplona, EUNSA, 2010.
SPAEMANN, R., Ética: cuestiones fundamentales, Pamplona, EUNSA, 2010 / Basic moral concepts, London, Routledge, 1989.
Evaluation period
- E1 16/11/2021 08:00h
- E2 22/06/2022 12:00h