**Medical Ethics Course Assessment Rubric**

**OVERVIEW**

* **Assessment Name:** Medical Ethics Assessment
* **Total Points Available:** 500 points
* **Weight in Final Grade:** 20%
* **Assessment Format:** Combination of written exam, practical skills assessment, and clinical reasoning exercise

**GRADING SCALE**

* **Letter Grades:**
+ A (90-100%): Excellent performance
+ B (80-89%): Proficient performance
+ C (70-79%): Developing performance
+ D (60-69%): Beginning performance
+ F (<60%): Failed to meet minimum standards
* **Percentage Ranges:**
+ A: 90-100%
+ B: 80-89%
+ C: 70-79%
+ D: 60-69%
+ F: <60%
* **Pass/Fail Threshold:** 70% (pass), below 70% (fail)
* **Honors Designation:** Not applicable for this assessment

**DETAILED RUBRIC**

1. **Understanding of Medical Ethics Principles**
* Description: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of medical ethics.
* Point Value: 30 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (25-30 points): Clearly and accurately articulates key principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
+ Proficient (20-24 points): Demonstrates a good understanding of the principles, but may struggle to articulate them clearly or apply them in complex scenarios.
+ Developing (15-19 points): Shows some understanding of the principles, but may demonstrate inconsistencies or gaps in their application.
+ Beginning (<15 points): Fails to demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles or their application.
2. **Clinical Decision-Making**
* Description: Demonstrates the ability to apply medical ethics principles to complex clinical scenarios.
* Point Value: 40 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (35-40 points): Effectively applies principles to complex scenarios, demonstrating sound judgment and decision-making skills.
+ Proficient (30-34 points): Demonstrates good decision-making skills, but may struggle with more complex or nuanced scenarios.
+ Developing (25-29 points): Shows some ability to apply principles, but may demonstrate hesitation or uncertainty in high-pressure situations.
+ Beginning (<25 points): Fails to demonstrate effective application of principles or decision-making skills.
3. **Communication and Interpersonal Skills**
* Description: Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills when discussing medical ethics with patients, colleagues, or other healthcare professionals.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (18-20 points): Exhibits excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy, active listening, and clear articulation of complex concepts.
+ Proficient (15-17 points): Demonstrates good communication and interpersonal skills, but may struggle with more complex or sensitive topics.
+ Developing (10-14 points): Shows some ability to communicate effectively, but may demonstrate awkwardness or hesitation in high-pressure situations.
+ Beginning (<10 points): Fails to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
4. **Professionalism and Respect**
* Description: Demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and respect for patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
* Point Value: 20 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (18-20 points): Exhibits exemplary professionalism and respect, demonstrating a strong sense of duty, empathy, and kindness.
+ Proficient (15-17 points): Demonstrates good professionalism and respect, but may struggle with more complex or nuanced situations.
+ Developing (10-14 points): Shows some ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect, but may demonstrate inconsistencies or lapses in judgment.
+ Beginning (<10 points): Fails to demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and respect.
5. **Case Study Analysis**
* Description: Demonstrates the ability to analyze complex medical ethics cases and apply principles to develop effective solutions.
* Point Value: 30 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (25-30 points): Effectively analyzes cases, demonstrating sound judgment and decision-making skills, and develops well-reasoned solutions.
+ Proficient (20-24 points): Demonstrates good analysis and decision-making skills, but may struggle with more complex or nuanced scenarios.
+ Developing (15-19 points): Shows some ability to analyze cases and develop solutions, but may demonstrate hesitation or uncertainty in high-pressure situations.
+ Beginning (<15 points): Fails to demonstrate effective analysis and solution development.
6. **Practical Skills Assessment**
* Description: Demonstrates proficiency in practical skills related to medical ethics, such as patient communication, conflict resolution, and cultural competence.
* Point Value: 40 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (35-40 points): Exhibits excellent practical skills, demonstrating confidence, empathy, and effective communication.
+ Proficient (30-34 points): Demonstrates good practical skills, but may struggle with more complex or nuanced scenarios.
+ Developing (25-29 points): Shows some ability to demonstrate practical skills, but may demonstrate awkwardness or hesitation in high-pressure situations.
+ Beginning (<25 points): Fails to demonstrate effective practical skills.
7. **Clinical Reasoning Exercise**
* Description: Demonstrates the ability to apply medical ethics principles to a simulated clinical scenario.
* Point Value: 40 points
* Performance Levels:
+ Excellent (35-40 points): Effectively applies principles to the scenario, demonstrating sound judgment and decision-making skills.
+ Proficient (30-34 points): Demonstrates good application of principles, but may struggle with more complex or nuanced scenarios.
+ Developing (25-29 points): Shows some ability to apply principles, but may demonstrate hesitation or uncertainty in high-pressure situations.
+ Beginning (<25 points): Fails to demonstrate effective application of principles.

**ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS**

* **Written Exam:** 40%
* **Practical Skills Assessment:** 20%
* **Clinical Reasoning Exercise:** 20%
* **Professional Behavior:** 10%
* **Participation:** 10%

**PERFORMANCE STANDARDS**

* **Excellent (90-100%):**
+ Demonstrates a thorough understanding of medical ethics principles and their application.
+ Exhibits excellent clinical decision-making skills, effective communication, and professionalism.
* **Proficient (80-89%):**
+ Demonstrates a good understanding of medical ethics principles and their application.
+ Exhibits good clinical decision-making skills, but may struggle with more complex scenarios.
* **Developing (70-79%):**
+ Shows some ability to demonstrate medical ethics knowledge and skills.
+ May demonstrate inconsistencies or gaps in their application.
* **Beginning (<70%):**
+ Fails to demonstrate a clear understanding of medical ethics principles or their application.

**CLINICAL COMPETENCY CHECKLIST**

1. Must-pass clinical skills:
* Effective patient communication
* Conflict resolution and negotiation
* Cultural competence and sensitivity
2. Safety requirements:
* Adherence to institutional policies and procedures
* Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
3. Professional conduct standards:
* Respect for patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals
* Confidentiality and data protection

**FEEDBACK GUIDELINES**

* Students will receive written feedback on their performance, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
* Feedback will be provided within 2 weeks of the assessment date.
* Students who fail to meet minimum standards may be eligible for re-assessment or remediation.

**IMPROVEMENT PLAN**

For students not meeting standards:

1. **Remediation Options:**
* Additional coursework or training
* One-on-one coaching or mentoring
* Participation in a peer mentoring program
2. **Resources for Improvement:**
* Access to online resources and educational materials
* Group study sessions or workshops
* Regular progress monitoring and feedback

Note: This rubric is designed to be comprehensive and fair, providing clear criteria for students to assess their performance. The specific point values and performance levels can be adjusted according to the instructor's discretion.
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:47 PM