The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #40652

RuthAnn Althaus, PhD, MPH, MBA, Graham School of Management, Saint Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60655, 773 298 3614, althaus@sxu.edu

It may not be possible to teach an unethical person to be ethical. But it is possible to teach tools to help ethical persons arrive at reasoned, ethical conclusions. This presentation describes a technique for teaching about ethics and developing participant skills for making ethical decisions. In this method, adapted from one introduced by Marc Hiller, participants are introduced to the major theoretical philosophical constructs of ethics and led through application of these principles to situations in health. Most importantly, they are guided to air, acknowledge, honor, and resolve differing moral, religious and cultural beliefs without deterioration of discussion to emotional stalemate. The step-by-step and quantitative process leads to an end solution only after important values have been identified, articulated, discussed, defended, and ranked. The method accomplishes an ultimate goal of education - providing participants with tools to solve problems in the future. The methodical process practiced in class helps participants to develop a valuable thinking style useful both professionally and personally. This presentation includes detailed description of the method itself, including possible use in various settings (courses, seminars, employee or public training sessions, etc.), with suggestions for adaptation and session process and flow.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
• 1. Describe the seven step model for teaching ethics presented in the session.
• 2. Identify several possible settings in which the method could be used constructively (classroom, workplace training, etc.)
• 3. Adapt the method appropriately to two different audiences (eg., college students, health department employees, etc.)
• 4. Propose two appropriate ethical scenarios that could be used for the exercise.

Keywords: Ethics Training, Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.