Fellowship Development Program
Fellowship in Ethics
The OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care (CFE) encourages teaching and research about ethical issues in the professions and public life. The goals of the ethics fellowship program are the following:
- Increase knowledge of ethical theory and practice in the delivery of health care;
- Enhance bioethical awareness in the teaching, healing and discovery at the University; and
- Improve ethical decision-making by the application of ethical analysis and problem solving.
Applicants are selected on the quality of their achievements in their field of specialization and their ability to benefit from work in the Center; the contributions they are likely to make in the future in higher education through teaching and writing about ethical issues; the probable significance of their proposed research and its relevance to the purposes of the Center; and for leadership ability.
The applicants chosen for the program are reviewed by the CFE Fellowship Development Committee of the Teaching Inter-professional Ethics (TIE) Team and then by CFE Executive Committee on the following criteria:
- Interest and/or passion in ethics education. Prior exposure to ethics activities or issues is advantageous;
- Projected contribution to the mission areas of OHSU. Longevity in position at OHSU;
- Leadership potential;
- Approval by supervisor/director to participate in program;
- Represents diversity of educational unit, hospital discipline or focus area;
- Evidence of engagement in inter-professional education or activity.
Year One
For the first year of the fellowship, an individualized educational plan (IEP) will be established for each fellow. Fellows may receive stipends to attend ethics course at Portland State University (approx. 108 hours) or equivalent training. The fellows participate in the core curriculum directed by the TIE Team. Fellows are also expected to participate in Ethics Center events as able and appropriate to their IEP (e.g. BSG, Senior Clinicians' Seminar, Kinsman Conference, Statewide Palliative Care Conference, Friends of Center luncheon, Madeline Brill Nelson Speakers Series). The Fellowship Program evaluation of each fellow depends on successful completion of the approved curriculum.
Year Two
In year two, a mentor is assigned to each fellow with defined responsibilities. Each fellow is expected to attend a 90-minute Monday evening seminar monthly directed by Dr. Robert Potter. One is dedicated to case-based ethics presentations by selected fellows with discussion. Each fellow is responsible for 6 case write-ups for the year. Process skills are also included in the curriculum.
Additionally, participation in core events of the Center is expected as appropriate to the fellow's IEP (e.g. BSG, Senior Clinicians' Seminar, Kinsman Conference, Statewide Palliative Care Conference, Friends of Center luncheon, Madeline Brill Nelson Speakers Series). Fellows will lead or co-lead at least one project or educational activity (e.g. BSG, Senior Clinicians' Seminar, focus groups for first year fellows, Living with Life-Threatening Illness course, Principles of Clinical Medicine course, Transition to Residency Course: Professionalism, Ethics and Law, Ethics in Dentistry Course, Ethics Consult Service).
Finally the TIE Fellowship Development Committee observes performance and recommends certification to the TIE Team. The team then provides a recommendation to the Executive Committee for approval and consideration of the future role of each fellow.
For further information please contact the Program Chair, Robert Potter, MD, PhD, Assistant Director, Center for Ethics in Health Care at ethics@ohsu.edu or call the Center at (503) 494-4466.
