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Ethics in Gerontology & Geriatrics

General

Prefix

GERO

Course Number

420

Course Level

Undergraduate

Department/Unit(s)

Gerontology

College/School

College of Health and Wellness Professions

Description

Ethical dilemmas in aging practice and policy, including autonomy in decision-making; interdisciplinary and interprofessional practice; confidentiality, consent, and allocation of health care resources.

Credits

Min

3

Max

3

Repeatable

No

Goals and Diversity

MN Goal Course

Yes

MN Goal Designation(s)

09

Cultural Diversity

Yes

Learning Outcomes

Outcome

Explain the connections among education, citizenship, and participation in a democratic society.

Outcome

Explain major ethical or political theories.

Outcome

Describe how interpretations of ethics or citizenship may vary by nationality, ethnicity, race, color, religion, gender, ability and disability, or sexual orientation.

Outcome

Apply concepts such as democracy, rights, morality, justice, virtue, liberty and obligation to personal, professional, and public issues.

Outcome

Analyze and evaluate alternative theoretical approaches or formulate solutions to ethical or civic issues.

Outcome

Develop and exercise personal agency or ethical judgment in the public domain.

Course Outline

Course Outline

Concepts, components and theory of health and human service ethics. 10% Autonomy, dignity and decision-making, including elders' rights, competence, and guardianship. 10% Professionalism and confidentiality, including HIPAA, codes of conduct, and best practice. 10% Ethical dilemmas associated with aging/older adults (e.g., driving, intimacy, hoarding, dementia, gambling). 10% Health care equity, equality and access (e.g., differential health outcomes, institutional racism, access to health care and social programs). 10% Ethical dilemmas of longevity (e.g., life extension, health care rationing, generational equity). 10% Health care quality (e.g., elder abuse, fraud, use of care technology, training/licensing of care providers). 10% Politics and policies in health care research, including funding, conflicts of interest, drug and device testing, and informed consent. 10% Emergency, disaster and safety dilemmas in caring for older adults, including individual, professional, and societal expectations and obligations. 10% Advance care planning and end of life care, including advance care directives, and "right to die". 10%

Dependencies

Programs

GERO420 is a completion requirement for: