The question of acceptability
For healthcare professionals with an interest in philosophical and ethical background knowledge
The continuing education programme in medical ethics offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to acquire extensive philosophical and ethical background knowledge under the guidance of well-known lecturers, to engage in appreciative interdisciplinary exchange, and to develop concrete solutions for their own responsibilities. In addition to lectures by the lecturers, the programme also focuses on joint discussions of individual case studies that participants can contribute.
This continuing education programme is offered by Furtwangen University in cooperation with the Thales Academy and the University of Freiburg.
Learning outcomes and content
The healthcare sector is facing an increasing number of medical ethics challenges. In addition to the experiences with the coronavirus pandemic, there are three main reasons for this.
First, the rapid technological advancement of medicine confronts us with the question of which of these far-reaching possibilities we actually want to use. Second, we are seeing an increasing focus on profit-making in healthcare services. And thirdly, the ongoing ideological pluralisation of society means that people in the healthcare sector have to take into account very different ideas of what constitutes a good life. This threefold dynamic is changing the everyday working lives of everyone involved in healthcare, as well as employees of medical technology companies and health insurance funds. The ethical challenges are complex, demanding, and therefore often difficult to resolve. In addition, there is a lack of time and opportunity in everyday life to openly discuss these issues. The continuing education programme in medical ethics offers practitioners in the healthcare sector the opportunity to acquire extensive ethical background knowledge under the guidance of well-known lecturers, to engage in appreciative interdisciplinary exchange, and to develop concrete solutions for their own responsibilities.
Target group and prerequisites
Doctors of all specialist fields, commercial and medical clinic managers, nursing staff, midwives, psychotherapists, pharmacists, and employees of companies in the healthcare industry (medical technology, pharmacy, health insurance).
Prerequisites
Participants should have a university degree or qualified professional experience.
A maximum of 16 places are available.
Format
Eight weekend seminars that can also be booked individually, as well as online self-study requiring 188 hours of study (98 hours of classroom time, 90 hours of video conferencing).
- Fundamentals of Medical Ethics (20–21 March, 2026)
- Economisation of Medicine (17–18 April, 2026)
- Digitalisation of Medicine (8–9 May, 2026)
- Ethical Challenges in the course of life (26–27 June, 2026)
- Ethical challenges at the beginning of life (24–25 July, 2026)
- Ethical challenges at the end of life (18–19 September, 2026)
- Methods of ethical decision-making (9–10 October, 2026)
- Final presentations (20–21 November, 2026)
The course fee includes organisational and content support, study materials, use of the platforms, and the certificate, as well as snacks and refreshments during the face-to-face sessions. Costs for travel to and from the face-to-face sessions and for accommodation are not included.
Further information is available at: External link opens in a new window:https://www.thales-akademie.de/medizinethik/
Qualification
A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is issued upon successful completion.
The entire continuing education programme is recognised with 224 points by the State Medical Association (LÄK) and as a basic course for the “Ethics Counselling in Healthcare” training programme offered by the Academy for Ethics in Medicine (AEM).
In addition, the continuing education programme is creditable toward the Ethics Consulting in Healthcare training programme of the Academy for Ethics in Medicine (AEM).
What is a CAS?
A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) is a continuing education qualification awarded by universities, primarily in German-speaking countries (e.g., Switzerland, Germany, Austria).
Objective: In-depth study of a specific subject area.
Structure: Part of a modular system – several CAS can be combined to form a DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies) or a master's degree.
Lecturers
Registration
Registration
Registration by online form: External link opens in a new window:https://www.thales-akademie.de/anmeldung-medizinethik/
Registration deadline: 28 February 2026
University offers continuing education: lifelong learning—with us!
The HFU Academy team
In a world that is constantly evolving, lifelong learning is the key to success. Continuing professional development enables you to keep up with the latest trends. Reskilling and upskilling open up new career opportunities.
The continuing education programmes offered by the HFU Academy not only expand and update your specialist knowledge, but also your personal skills and opportunities.
The HFU Academy is the central institution for academic continuing education at HFU. Our team works with highly competent specialists who pass on their expertise as lecturers.
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