Health Care Ethics Committees

The Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, announces the advanced European Bioethics Course ‘Health Care Ethics Committees’. Over the past thirty years Health Care Ethics Committees (HECs) have been identified, especially in the West, as the main tool to root and support bioethical reflection in Health Care Institutions. Indeed, under certain conditions, they have proved of great help in (a) increasing the level of perception and analysis of the new ethical issues related to the present development of health care; (b) integrating different professional expertise and ethical perspectives; (c) promoting a real communication between Health Care Institutions and the society at large. The three main functions through which HECs express their potential are: (1) case analysis and ethical consultation; (2) institutional guidelines’ development; (3) bioethical education. The aim of the course is to provide participants with conceptual frames and practical tools to effectively perform the above mentioned three functions. Contents of the course include: a historical and theoretical framework of the process of institutionalization of HECs; an introduction into the typical functions of HECs, providing for each of them a conceptual frame, a concrete experience and useful practical tools; a presentation and discussion of an important European experience of building and running a network of HECs. As to the methods, the course will combine lectures, group discussions and workshops. All course activities and materials will be in English. Our faculty includes: Enrico Furlan (University of Padova, Italy), Diego Gracia (Complutense University, Madrid, Spain), Kathrin Ohnsorge (University of Basel, Switzerland), Anne-Marie Slowther (Ethox Centre, Oxford and Warwick Medical School, UK), Piera Poletti (Centre for Research and Education, CEREF, Padova, Italy), Mariachiara Tallacchini (Catholic University, Piacenza, Italy). The course should be of interest for health care professionals and other professionals who wish to adequately participate in the activities of a HEC; professionals who have been appointed with the setting up and managing of a new HEC; members of already existing HECs (especially chairs and secretaries) who wish to rejuvenate their committees; professionals who intend to set up a HEC also outside the traditional hospital setting (hospices, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, etc.). Location: University of Padova, Italy. Language: English. Price: Euro (€) 600 for early registration before February 28th, 2013, Euro (€) 700 for registration after February 28th, 2013 (from March 1 to April 15, 2013). For more information, please visit our website: www.masterbioethics.org, under Intensive courses, or write to Silvia Tusino: emmbpadova@gmail.com. The intensive course Health Care Ethics Committees is part of the Erasmus Mundus Master of Bioethics program.