Objective:

To present an institutional ethics curriculum geared toward neurology residents and describe their understanding of ethical principles before and after completing the program. 

Background:

Ethics is often described as the “business of being human.” In medicine, ethics is fundamental to decision-making, rooted in principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice. However, many neurology residents are not given formal opportunities to develop the skills needed to address ethical dilemmas encountered in clinical practice. As our field continues to evolve, so do the ethical challenges, such as informed consent, health care disparities, advocacy, patient autonomy, and end-of-life care. This curriculum has been developed to bridge that gap, empowering neurology residents with the tools to navigate complex ethical issues as they progress through their careers with the goal of enhancing ethical decision-making and improving patient outcomes

Design/Methods:

Eleven sessions, including interactive lectures, case-based discussions, medico-legal sessions, and group reflections, will be offered. Neurology residents from first through fourth year of training at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School will be invited to the sessions during protected academic time. A pre- and post-curriculum survey will be conducted to measure residents’ confidence and understanding of ethical principles, as well as their satisfaction with the course.

Results:

Thirty-six percent of participants (n = 44) answered the pre-curriculum survey. The majority (93.8%) were not familiar with the “Orphan Drug Act” of 1983, 81.3% identified as “somewhat knowledgeable” about the role of an ethics committee and when it should be consulted, 50% identified as ‘somewhat knowledgeable’ about the Inequities in society and their impact on healthcare, 43.8% were not familiar with advocacy for vulnerable patients.

Conclusions:

Neurology residents lack formal training regarding ethical dilemmas faced during their careers. Institutional ethics curriculum in clinical neurology could help enhance their understanding of these topics and impact their future clinical practice.