This presentation examines the gap between the ethical standards guiding surrogate decision-making, and the emotional realities of making medical decisions for a loved one. Through clinical cases, it explores challenges that can arise for both surrogate decision-makers and clinicians, and highlights approaches to reconcile conflict and reach ethically supportable decisions.
Apply to our flexible, online program to become certified for Advanced Training in Healthcare Ethics! Improve patient care, be an ethics committee member, or become an ethics consultant.
Program dates:
Come work with us! The Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington is recruiting a tenure-track Assistant Professor to join us in September 2027.
Our search focuses on the ethical, social, legal, policy and humanistic dimensions of AI and data-intensive technologies in science and medicine. We also welcome scholars working on other emerging biotechnologies, including genomics, reproductive and cellular technologies, and synthetic biology.
Faculty Spotlight!
Our own Professor Denise Dudzinski was recently featured in the UW Medicine Newsroom and UW Today for her expert perspective on a proposed concept known as "death by organ donation."
The Department of Bioethics and Humanities invites you to the 38th annual Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics. We will host the conference online this year with live discussions with experts and small group cases.
This course introduces key concepts and debates in clinical bioethics, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to make and support sound ethical decisions in healthcare settings.
Apply to our flexible, online program to become certified for Advanced Training in Healthcare Ethics! Improve patient care, be an ethics committee member, or become an ethics consultant.
Program dates:
The Department of Bioethics and Humanities invites you to the 38th annual Summer Seminar in Healthcare Ethics. We will host the conference online this year with live discussions with experts and small group cases.
This course introduces key concepts and debates in clinical bioethics, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to make and support sound ethical decisions in healthcare settings.