Ethics Interns at O'Connor Hospital

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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

A Rotation in Ethics

An Article on the Internship from the Santa Clara Magazine

Video Presentations

Program Overview

An Intern Talks About His Experience