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Consent and Ethics (eLearning)

About this module

Consent and ethics form the basis of modern medical practice and it is imperative that all practitioners are aware of these topics in detail. This module covers how consent issues differ due to patient factors whilst referencing General Medical Council (GMC) guidance and case law to provide further information.

This module contains one or more Workplace Based Assessments (WBAs) that you are required to complete to obtain your module certificate. Please see the Format tab below for details of these. For details on the overall module content, please see the Learning outcomes tab below. 

RCS England members benefit from a 10%  discount on this module. Find out if you're eligible to join or transfer

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  • 6 PG Cert Credits
  • 0.0 CPD Points: TBC
6 PG Cert Credits
0.0 CPD Points: TBC
Standard fee £320.00
Member Discount 10 %: £288.00
PGCert Low Income Country 40% Discount: £192.00
PGCert Student Discount 15%: £272.00
  • Take this course as part of PG Cert in Surgery for £272 (15% discount) or if you are a full RCS member or RCS associate for £288 (10% discount).
  • You will have access to this module for 6 months, which you can extend for an additional 6 months for £100.
  • Upon completion of your module, you will obtain a certificate of completion for this module. 
  • Please take a look at our Terms & Conditions if you need to cancel your access to this module.

Enrol for this module only

This module has been designed as part of the PG Cert course.

However, each PG Cert in Surgery module can also be taken on a standalone basis.

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Independent module or blended learning

If you're are taking this module independently or as part of a course you can access your progress and continue the module via RCS e-learning.

Go to RCS e-Learning
Via PG Certification

If you're are taking this module as part of the PG certification you can view your progress and continue the module via the PG cert dashboard.

Go to My PG Cert

You've already completed this module

Independent module or blended learning

If you're are taking this module independently or as part of a course you can access your progress and continue the module via RCS e-learning.

Go to RCS e-Learning
Via PG Certification

If you're are taking this module as part of the PG certification you can view your progress and continue the module via the PG cert dashboard.

Go to My PG Cert

Suitability

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

Format

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.

You may be interested in the following modules

Associated courses

Receive PGCert credits for successfully completing selected courses. (The range of courses and dates are subject to availability).

 

CCrISP Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (4 credits)

A highly interactive course that will enable you to develop practical, theoretical and personal skills to systematically assess and manage critical situations.

This course is suitable for: CT 1-2.

Find out more

You will be awarded 4 PGCert in Surgery credits upon successful completion of this course

Contact the education team

If you have any questions about the PGCert in Surgery, or any other RCS courses, please get in touch.

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Phone us

Call 020 7869 6300 to talk with a member of our team. 

We are available to answer calls during our working hours of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday and there is a voicemail outside this time.