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Ethics Course PDF Print E-mail

Ethics

Overview

This course has been developed to give International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (Lactation Consultants) and those studying towards this qualification, an understanding of the ethical principles and codes of practice that will guide them in their day-to-day work with mothers and babies.

After learning about the various theories of ethics the student will work through select issues that could cause ethical dilemmas, referring to the guidance offered by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners’ documents ‘Code of Ethics’ and ‘Clinical Competencies’, and the International Lactation Consultant Association ‘Standards of Practice’.

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is a document that recognizes the detrimental health effects of artificial baby milks, its implementation being intrinsic to the ethical practices of health workers. Students will work through this document to understand their obligations.

The course is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who will pose ethical issues for discussion and guide discussions of issues raised by students.

An assessment component, comprised of automatically graded multiple-choice and true/false questions based on the objectives of the course, confirms that the course objectives were attained.

Course Aim

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the theories of ethics, and give them a thorough understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the IBLCE Code of Ethics and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (WHO Code).

Course Objectives

On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
  1. define the term ethics, describing it in terms of metaethics, normative ethics and applied ethics.
  2. differentiate between different ethical theories
  3. refer to an ethical decision-making framework to consider ethical issues
  4. access the IBLCE Code of Ethics and relate their responsibility to it
  5. access the ILCA Standards of Practice
  6. define their responsibility regarding ethical issues such as conflict of interest, professional and client autonomy, accountability, confidentiality, evidence-based practice, intellectual property rights and advocacy
  7. apply the WHO Code to situations they may encounter in their practice

Course Administration

The course is facilitated by an experienced International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
The course has a forum where topical issues may be raised, case studies discussed, questions posed and answered, links to additional information provided, etc.

Each course is available as a one month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you of your username and password.
On successful completion your Certificate will be emailed to you.

Syllabus

1. Ethical Behavior
  • An introduction to ethics
  • Normative ethics
    • Teleology
    • Deontology
    • Virtue ethics
  • Thinking ethically

2. Ethical Practice
  • An introduction
  • The IBLCE Code of Ethics
  • Issues facing the Lactation Consultant
    • Evidence-based practice; Accountability
    • Informed consent; Client autonomy
    • Confidentiality; Advocacy
    • Professional autonomy; Conflict of interest; Quality assurance
3. The WHO Code
  • Introduction to the WHO Code
  • Know the Code
    • Implementation and monitoring
  • Free gifts – an ethical issue

Required reading materials

  • IBLCE Documents:
    • Code of Ethics
    • Competency Statements
    • Clinical Competencies for IBCLC Practice
  • ILCA Documents
    • Standards of Practice for IBCLCs
  • World Health Organisation Documents
    • International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
    • WHA Resolutions relevant to the Code

All of these documents are available in hard copy from the respective organisations, or as freely downloadable documents from the Internet (location included in course notes)

Assessment

25 multiple choice or true/false questions, automatically graded with results available immediately, confirm achievement of the course objectives.

A certificate of completion, noting accreditation points, will be emailed to successful students.

Accreditation

On successful completion of this course you will be awarded:
  • 5 E CERPs*
  • 5 Contact Hours (ANCC)**

*IBLCE Approval Number: C28047
**Health e-Learning is an approved provider of continuing education by the Virginia Nurses’ Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. ANCC Approval 07-01-01

Quality assurance

ET01: Ethics for Lactation Consultants was written by
Denise Fisher, MMP, BN, RN, RM, IBCLC.

It was reviewed by the following Subject Matter Experts:
Howard Whitton, Visiting Professor, Central European University, Budapest
Elizabeth Brooks, JD, IBCLC, RLC, legal expertise in ethics issues
Ros Escott, IBCLC, lecturer on ethics and the IBCLC
Karen Zeretzky, IBCLC, RLC, lecturer on ethics and the IBCLC

It was further reviewed by the following IBCLCs:
Bridget Ingle, Angela Love-Zaranka, Carol Schlef, Debbie Tobin, Elisa Hirsch, Barbara Hardin, Cher Sealy, Jay Simpson, Margie Forrest and Denise Altman.

Fees and Enrollment

US$52 (approx. Au$60; NZ$72)

Each course is available as a one month subscription commencing on the day of notification to you of your username and password.
 
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