Medical Ethics

Clinical record keeping is an integral component in good professional practice and the delivery of quality healthcare. Regardless of the form of the records (i.e. electronic or paper), good clinical record keeping should enable continuity of care and should enhance communication between different healthcare professionals. 

In this online course we will present the importance of keeping good clinical records, ways of facilitating this and an overview of legal aspects linked with clinical record keeping.

The following topics will be covered: 

1. Why do I need to keep good records?

2. What do I need to record and how?

3. Are there any legal issues I should be aware of?

4. Accuracy and legibility of content

5. Confidentiality and data protection

6. Patients’ access to medical records

This online course will discuss the following topics:

• Fear and acceptance of death

• Why do people fear death?

• The Health Professionals response

• Helping patients who have cancer

• Refusing therapy

This online course will discuss the following subjects:

• Sexual harassment

• Drug abuse by professionals

• Fraud

This online teaching will discuss the following issues:

• Whistle-blowing

• Family violence

• Reporting child abuse

• Reporting elder abuse

This on-line course provides frequently asked questions regarding ethical considerations of COVID-19 pandemic for Healthcare Providers.

Children are not just a smaller version of adults and it is often difficult to determine when actions are truly "in the best interest of the child". When should we intervene and when are children capable of making their own decisions?

How much information do children need? Is it always in the best interest of the child to have the parent present during treatments? 

The purpose of this online course is to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge to adequately address the rights of children in healthcare.  

After completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand national and international legal frameworks for the rights of children in healthcare.

• Reflect critically on the rights of children in healthcare.

• Advocate for the rights of these children.

• Understand the healthcare professional dilemma to report or not report child abuse.

Ethics relates to far more than a simple understanding of that which is legally permissible in society.  A nuanced understanding of ethical issues adds depth and meaning to what it takes to live as a mature human in an increasingly complex world.  As healthcare practitioners we owe it to ourselves and our patients to act ethically and responsibly so as to benefit all those who seek our help.  

This course provides the perfect introduction to the ethical challenges we face in our practices.

Ethics relates to far more than a simple understanding of that which is legally permissible in society.  A nuanced understanding of ethical issues adds depth and meaning to what it takes to live as a mature human in an increasingly complex world.  As healthcare practitioners we owe it to ourselves and our patients to act ethically and responsibly so as to benefit all those who seek our help. 

This course provides the perfect introduction to the ethical challenges we face in our practices.

The health care profession-patient relationship is the cornerstone of medical practice and therefore of medical ethics. 

This on-line course will discuss:

• Respect and equal treatment

• Ending a patient-HP relationship

• HIV/AIDS

• Sexual attraction

• Treating family members

• Communication & consent, case study #1 included

• Obstacles for good communication plus case study #2   

• Abusing medical resources including case study #3

• Futile treatment

After working through this course, you should be able to:

• explain how medical decisions should be made for patients who are incapable of making their own decisions;

• explain the justification for patient confidentiality and recognise legitimate exceptions;

• recognise the principle ethical issues surrounding the beginning and end of life;

• summarise the arguments for and against the practice of euthanasia/assisted suicide; and the difference between these actions and palliative care or foregoing treatment.

After working through this on-line course you should be able to:

• describe how health care professionals should behave toward one another

• justify reporting colleagues unethical behaviour 

• identify the main ethical principles relating to cooperation with others in the care of patients

• resolve conflicts with other health care providers

After working through this on-line course you should be able to:

• identify the main principles of research ethics.

• know how to balance research and clinical care.

• satisfy the requirements of ethics review committees.

This Ethics course is suitable for Physiotherapists, Biokineticists and Podiatrists in private practice.  It deals with the latest HPCSA regulations on advertising and making professional services known.