Current Situation of Medical Ethics Education in the United States of America

Kim, Ock Joo

Abstract

PURPOSE: This paper examines current situation of medical ethics education in the United States of America to have an overview on contents, learning methods and educational strategies for medical ethics education.
METHODS
The author analyzes medical ethics courses, related integrated courses and their teaching methods published in Curriculum Directory Association of American Medical Colleges (2000) and reviewed literature relevant to the subject.
RESULTS
The statistical data show that 125 medical schools in America provided 679 medical ethics classes, which were 5.4 classes per school. More than 90% of formal classes were conducted in preclinical years: 67.3% of all ethics-related classes were opened in the first academic year; 24.8 % in the second academic year. Lectures were most prevalent teaching methods, following small group discussion, case-based study, tutorial, and so on. Medical educators have hardly reached consensus over details of medical ethics, although they agree on the necessity of medical ethics education. In spite of incomplete information, this study shows a general tendency of medical ethics education in U.S.A.