Consent and Ethics (eLearning)

You can take this module as part of the PGCert in Surgery, designed for FY1-2 & CT1-2.

You can also take this module as a standalone online course at any stage of your career.

To be eligible, candidates need to have access to an Educational / Clinical Supervisor.

This module will cover:

• principles of patient autonomy;
• assessment of capacity;
• informed consent;
• consent and minors;
• patients who lack capacity;
• patients detained under the Mental Health Act;
• Jehovah’s Witnesses;
• euthanasia.

After completing this Consent and Ethics module, you will be able to:

• Explain the principle of patient autonomy and know when exceptions occur.
• List the four elements which require evaluation when assessing a patient’s capacity.
• Differentiate which types of consent are appropriate for a range of interventions.
• Describe the differences of the rights of minors compared to adults when receiving medical treatment.
• Outline the process that should be followed for decision making when a patient lacks capacity.

This is an interactive online module within the innovative RCS England e-learning platform. This format means you can study using any device, whenever and wherever it suits you.

This module requires the completion of 9 work place based assessments (WBAs). It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the capacity to complete the WBAs and that they are within your scope of practice in order to complete the module. WBAS cannot be missed or replaced with alternative activities. You will need to have an appropriate supervisor to complete these. 

The WBAs include:

Either a Case Based Discussion (CBD) or Clinical Evaluation Exercise (CEX).

• Obtain consent for a procedure that you are capable of performing. 

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

• Write a reflective passage when you have taken either implied or written consent. Examples might include a surgical procedure or insertion of a urinary catheter. 
• Perform a CBD with a senior colleague either regarding a real-life situation if you have contact with children and young people at work, or using one of the scenarios in the topic if your current post does not involve clinical contact with children.
• Consider a patient you have come across who lacked capacity to make a decision. This could be for major surgery or a much smaller decision.
• Write a short reflective piece on the use of the Mental Health Act. 
• Consider the ethics of performing a futile treatment and who benefits from this?
• Write a reflective piece on the management of a patient who is terminally ill. 
• What are the potential harms and benefits of genetic testing.

Clinical Evaluation Exercise (CEX)

• Complete a patient consent form for 3 different procedures within your specialty whilst being observed.

For more information on WBAs, please consult the ISCP website. If you do not have an Assigned Educational Supervisor (AES) you can use the ISCP guidance to find a suitable alternative, for example within the Case Based Discussion guidance.

You will have access to this module for 6 months, which you can also extend.