Program Overview

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Introduction to Advanced Training in Healthcare Ethics (ATHE)

The University of Washington School of Medicine Department of Bioethics & Humanities offers an online program to provide advanced training in healthcare ethics (ATHE). ATHE students gain foundational knowledge and skills to broaden their competency in clinical ethics and ethics consultation.

Program Overview

The program consists of three online courses in ethical theory, clinical and organizational ethics consultation, and ethics consultation methods, as well as a three-day Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics. Students are welcome to take individual courses for unofficial transcripts. The ATHE program is awarded by the department and does not result in UW transcripted credits.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes three online courses and a 3.5-day Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics conference. Courses are designed to develop clinical ethics and ethical reasoning skills. Training can be completed in one academic year, plus the 3.5-day Summer Seminar. Each distance learning course is 10 weeks. Each course requires several hours of online instruction and several hours of independent preparation and study/week.

Online Courses

• Ethical Theory: This course studies important historical theoretical frameworks that are the foundation of modern medical ethics, as well as contemporary commentary. Instructor: Nancy Jecker, PhD
• Clinical & Organizational Ethics Consultation: This course examines the relationship between clinical and organizational ethics. Analysis of clinical ethics cases that have policy implications. Instruction on methods for ethics consultation. Instructor: Denise Dudzinski, PhD, HEC-C
• Healthcare Ethics: Methods: This course offers case-based practice in clinical ethics including methods of ethical analysis and writing ethics consultation chart notes. Instructor: Gina Campelia, PhD, HEC-C

Summer Seminar

The Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics is a 3.5-day online course held annually in late July/early August. The seminar provides an intensive, interactive introduction to the analysis of ethical problems in clinical care.

Application Process

Applications are reviewed on a continual basis and classes can be taken asynchronously. The application deadline for each class is the 15th day of the month prior to the first day of the new academic quarter:

• September 15: application deadline for course one (autumn)
• December 15: application deadline for course two (winter)
• March 15: application deadline for course three (spring)

Fees and Continuing Medical Education (CME)

• Course one payment: $4000 (UW discount: $3600)
• Course two payment: $4000 (UW discount: $3600)
• Course three payment: $4000 (UW discount: $3600)
• UW employees receive a 10% discount.

Payment

Payment is due 1 week in advance of the first day of the course. Upon payment of tuition, students will receive the link to the course website.

Technology Requirements

Students will need access to the internet, email, and the course website platform.

CME Credits

The University of Washington School of Medicine has designated this other activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ATHE Certificate versus MA in Bioethics

For information on the difference between the certificate in Advanced Training in Healthcare Ethics (ATHE) and the Master of Arts in Bioethics, please review the comparison document.

Eligibility

The program is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, sex, or other identity. Participants should possess strong writing, critical thinking, and verbal communication skills. GRE scores are not required. The program is suitable for clinicians who need Continuing Medical Education credits and professionals in healthcare, including physicians, nurses, clergy, social workers, clinical ethics consultants, and members of ethics committees.