Bioethics: Negotiation of Fundamental Differences in Russian and US Curricula

Abstract

The primary purpose of the research reported in this article is to propose a methodological approach to the teaching of bioethics in Russia. The American practice of teaching bioethics was chosen as a reference considering their extensive experience of teaching bioethics in medical universities. The conceptual information process model was used to perform interdisciplinary research on the problem. The conceptual information process model enabled us to adopt the American bioethics curriculum in accordance with Russian traditions of medical education. A new bioethics curriculum is proposed based on this model. The information process model not only reveals the mechanism of social self-organization, but also gives a methodological “clue” for creating a cross-disciplinary curriculum. This curriculum will permit researchers to access, negotiate and overcome fundamental differences between Russia and the USA in the teaching of bioethics.