Virtue and medical ethics education

Philos Ethics Humanit Med. 2021 May 27;16(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s13010-021-00100-2.

Abstract

The traditional structure of medical school curriculum in the United States consists of 2 years of pre-clinical study followed by 2 years of clinical rotations. In this essay, I propose that this curricular approach stems from the understanding that medicine is both a science, or a body of knowledge, as well as an art, or a craft that is practiced. I then argue that this distinction between science and art is also relevant to the field of medical ethics, and that this should be reflected in ethics curriculum in medical education. I introduce and argue for virtue ethics as the best opportunity for introducing practical ethical knowledge to medical trainees.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum
  • Education, Medical*
  • Ethics, Medical
  • Schools, Medical
  • United States
  • Virtues*