Ethics Interns at O'Connor Hospital
Apply for the Internship
The
Health Care Ethics Internship Program for Undergraduates began
its seventh year in September 2007. To date more than 73 students
have completed the yearlong innovative internship developed
by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and O'Connor Hospital.
Students rotate through various hospital units, shadowing health
care professionals as they encounter ethical issues and dilemmas.
As former intern Chris Hong described it, "Since beginning
my internship with the O'Connor Health Care Ethics program,
I have had the opportunity to work with doctors, nurses, social
workers, and chaplains in various departments, with the intention
to observe ethically questionable situations. The health care
workers always candidly explained the cases they were working
on, painting a clear and honest picture of ethical issues when
they arose."
A major component of the program is participation in reflection
sessions under the direction of Sr. Joan Marie Steadman, Associate
Director of Health care Ethics. In these sessions, students
utilize an ethical framework to consider case studies and theoretical
approaches to medical ethics.
For students considering a career in medicine, the program has been an
eye-opener. As one found, "It's hard to come to terms with the fact
that medicine cannot stop the diseases once someone has become sick. That
was such a hard thing to realize because for me, the appeal of medicine
is the perception that you can 'fix' people. On that day [in the Oncology
Unit], I had to admit to myself that there are some things that medicine
cannot accomplish."
The students report a tremendous increase in respect for nurses and doctors.
"The doctors showed me that there are many doctors who care and want
to help," said one participant. "They treated me like I had credibility
and could also one day be a doctor." During their rotations the students'
interactions with staff foster a two-way exchange about ethical issues,
benefiting both parties.
For ore information about the internship, contact Sr. Joan Marie Steadman
An Article on the Internship from the Santa Clara Magazine
Video Presentations
Program Overview
An Intern Talks About His Experience
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