title: Strengthening moral reasoning through dedicated ethics training in dietetic preparatory programs.
abstract: Moral reasoning skills, associated with the ability to make ethical decisions effectively, must be purposively fostered. Among health professionals, enhanced moral reasoning is linked to superior clinical performance. Research demonstrates that moral reasoning is enhanced through dedicated, discussion-based ethics education offered over a period of 3-12 weeks. Current dietetic students and practicing dietitians seeking to strengthen their moral reasoning skills can undertake elective ethics education. Further research within dietetic preparatory programs is warranted to better inform the development and implementation of ethics courses.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: skielly@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hewko
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Greta G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Cummings
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004046:Dietetics / Q000193:education* / Q000941:ethics*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
keywords: allied health occupations; dietetics; ethics; moral development; professional