The Provincial Health Ethics Network (Alberta, CANADA)

Video Library

PHEN has many books and videos available for loan at each of its Northern (Edmonton) and Southern (Calgary) offices. These resources can be borrowed by any resident of, or institution located in, Alberta, Canada. Library books and videos will be loaned free of charge for a maximum of 3 weeks. An Individual or organization can borrow a maximum of 3 items at any given time. For more information or to borrow a PHEN resource, please contact the PHEN Office Administrator, at the Northern Alberta Office, at (780) 447-1180 or info@phen.ab.ca.

Video Listings

Video Title

Location

11 Moral Lessons from Oregon for National Health Care Reform
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (19 min)
What does it mean to be a just and caring society when we have limited resources and unlimited needs? This film summarizes 11 moral lessons for national health care reform. Guidelines for fair rationing decision-making are outlined.

Edmonton

Advance Directives "Considerations for Canadians."
Produced by the Bioethics Centre, University of Toronto, Edited by the Provincial Health Ethics Network. (9 min)
This film explains in detail what an Advanced Directive is, why such a document is important, and how to go about making such a directive. Good source for general information on Advance Directive. 9 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Advance Directives "Considerations for Canadians."
Produced by the Bioethics Centre, University of Toronto. (also available in BETA). (19 min)
This film defines and describes Advance Directive, a document that is intended to guide health workers and family when incompetence or incapability occurs. The film discusses the purpose, legal implications and implementation of Advance Directive as well as the importance of updating this document. 19 mins.

Edmonton

Alzheimer's Disease: Inside Looking Out
Produced by the Alzheimer's Association (Cleveland Area Chapter). (18 min)
The challenge of Alzheimer’s is documented through the accounts of people living with Alzheimer’s and from people living with and supporting sufferers of the disease. Ways of maintaining autonomy and control are featured.

Edmonton

... And, They Want a Child
Produced by the John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre, University of Alberta.
This is a case study of a couple seeking reproductive assistance from a fertility clinic at which time an ethics committee is consulted. Ethical issues that are discussed include quality of life of the baby and parents, patient autonomy and freedom of choice, distant vs. close up ethics (relational/care ethics), rights of the child, and resource allocation. This video illustrates what could possibly occur at ethics committee meetings. 17 mins

Calgary
Edmonton

Anencephalic Infants
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California (20 min)
This film proposes two thought models for dealing with anencephalic infants. The issue can be approached either by analyzing it from the view of a fetal condition that is incompatible with life, or as a concept of “personhood” and what the neocortex means to personhood. What it means to be a person and what falls within acceptable terms to terminate life are also discussed.

Edmonton

A Choice for K'aila (Man Alive)
(Man Alive, CBC)
The story of little K’aila follows a couples’ struggle with their decision whether or not to allow their 11-month-old child to receive a liver transplant. The parents struggle to reconcile their cultural beliefs and the difficult life that lay ahead for their child if the transplant is successful, with the values of the medical community. This story represents a clash of cultural and medical values and chronicles the opposition the parents face.

Calgary
Edmonton

Calgary Health Region Bioethics Week 2007: Ethnocultural Considerations in Organ Donations
(60 min)
In the video, Rosalie Starzomski an ethics consultant from the University of Victoria discusses the values and beliefs inherent in different cultures regarding organ donation. This issue must be looked at carefully since the gap between potential organ donors and organ recipients is enlarging. With Canada’s population becomes increasingly diverse this video explores how the issue of organ transplantation must be presented in a culturally sensitive and acceptable way.

Calgary

Calgary Health Region Bioethics Week 2007: Involving the Public in Health Policy Review
(83 min)
This lecture by Bashir Jiwani, Fraser Health Ethics Services asks the difficult questions regarding policy development and the public’s role in reviewing these policies. He helps the listener reflect critically on some challenges facing the health care system and points to ways in which our values may help us respond to the needs of the community.

Calgary

Calgary Health Region Bioethics Week 2007: Issues & Challenges with Tube Feeding in the Elderly
(60 min)
This discussion lead by Rosalie Starzomski an ethics consultant from the University of Victoria examines some of the guidelines regarding tube feeding in the elderly. The video looks at potential benefits and burdens of tube feeding and also asks profound questions regarding care of the elderly and the sick through examining previous experiences and case-studies.

Calgary

Cases in Medical Ethics and Law
David Lloyd, Heather Widdows, Donna Dickenson Cambridge University Press
This teaching and learning tutorial presents six medical problems which the student explores to get a better understanding of ethical issues in medicine. A PC is needed for this tutorial.

Calgary

Children Full of Life
Produced by the Passionate Eye, CBC (45 minutes)
In this award-winning documentary, a 4th grade class in a primary school in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo, learns lessons about compassion from their homeroom teacher, Toshiro Kanamori. He instructs each to write their true inner feelings in a letter, and read it aloud in front of the class. By sharing their lives, the children begin to realize the importance of caring for their classmates. Through their daily experiences, viewers see how they develop together in a spirit of cooperation and compassion.

Edmonton

Choices
Produced by Southwest Productions 1994. (13 min)
This film is directed towards patients and potential patients. It begins with examples of difficult healthcare decisions, how real people have dealt with their issues, and what tools they used to help make their decisions. This film asks you to consider questions about what values are important to you, your family and friends. The importance of a living will and setting aside time for discussion with family and friends before a crisis occurs are discussed.

Edmonton

Collection including the following titles: 1. The Deadly Deception. 2. The Ethical Question: Informed Consent. 3. Coping: Stress and the Medical Student. 4. Docs, Lies and Videotape. 5. Rationing: Critical Care
Produced by the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Media Services.

Edmonton

Competency in the Elderly, Tape #1

Edmonton

CPR: Revising Prevailing Assumptions
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (15 min)
This film addresses two problems associated with CPR. The first is that CPR is the default position that it occurs automatically in a crisis situation and the second problem is one of justification. The film suggests a new approach to in-house CPR/DNR that could change the default status and shift the burden of justification back and forth.

Edmonton

A Death of One's Own (2000)
Production of Public Affairs Television Inc.
Follows the intimate experiences of patients, families and caregivers as they struggle to deal with death with compassion and comfort. This documentary explores the growing need of patients to exert more control over where and how they die. 90 mins.

Calgary

Death by Doctor
CBS News- airdate:11/22/98. 60 minutes (re Jack Kevorkian).

Calgary

Death with Dignity - 5 part series
(7.5 min) ITV.

Edmonton

Disability and the Law (01 Beth's Story, 02 David's Story, 03 Kenny's Story)
Access: The Education Station. (86 min).
This film examines situations that challenge our sense of morality and justice when the law is open to different interpretations. The film covers 3 cases studies based on real life situations surrounding disability. The relationships between healthcare providers, families, patients and the law are illustrated as the ethical issues arise. 86 mins.

Edmonton

Discussions in Bioethics (1986) VHS and DVD
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada. (106 min)
This series of short films was created to stimulate discussion of the ethical, legal and economic questions raised by advances in medicine. Eight short dramas address numerous bioethical issues including genetic disorders and genetic screening, relationships with patients, euthanasia, sterilization, religion, resource allocation, withholding/withdrawing treatment, quality of life, rights of the mentally handicapped, and experimental science. 106 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

The Debate of the Century Continues...
Nigel Cameron & Peter Singer Debate: Is it Always Wrong to Take Innocent Human Life?
Presented by The Centre for Bioethics and Culture

Ethics in Health Care Research: Five Video Scenarios
A two-disc set of videos that portray realistic situations which raise ethical issues about the treatment of human subjects in health care research. Each scenario is approximately 10 minutes in length. One of the DVDs included in the set is a discussion and resource guide.

Edmonton

Ethics Consultation: Responding to Ethics Concerns
Produced by National Center for Ethics in Health Care, Veterans Health Administration
This resource includes two accompanying texts which are mentioned in the video: Video Exercises and a Primer. Appendices in the Primer provide tools to assess consultants' proficiency, evaluate client satisfaction, and document ethics case consultations.

Part I (25 mins.)
This first section of the video gives an introduction to ethics consultation in health care, outlines the proficiencies required to perform ethics consultations and reviews other factors necessary for success.

Part 2 (32 mins.)
This second part of the video presents CASES, a step-by-step approach to ethics case consultation in health care ethics.

The accompanying primer can be downloaded for free from the VA website at http://www.ethics.va.gov/ETHICS/integratedethics/index.asp

Calgary
Edmonton

Ethics Consultation: Responding to Ethics Questions in Health Care
Produced by Integrated Ethics (Part 1: 46 mins, Part 2: 43 mins)
This two-part DVD educates the audience on the ethics consultation process. The first part talks about the importance of procedural consistency on ethics boards. In the second part of the program, the integrated ethics consultation team uses the CASES approach towards specific medical case.

Calgary

The Ethical Imagination: Journeys of the Human Spirit
Margaret Somerville, 2006.
Please note that this is an audio CD, not a video. In this 5-CD lecture series, Margaret Somerville offers compelling insights into the ethical dilemmas that humans are currently facing. Topics include new reproductive technologies, genetic modification and transhumanism. 5 hrs. Also available in book format.

Edmonton

Ethical Dilemmas Encountered When Providing Direct Patient Care for Pharmacists
1997 (Audiotape)

Calgary

Ethical Issues Facing Regional Health Authority Boards in Alberta (Dr. Richard Plain)
Produced by the Provincial Health Ethics Network

Edmonton

Ethical Perceptions of Men & Women: Are They Different?
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California (11 min)
This film attempts to uncover the different ethical perceptions that men and women have, why such differences exist, and how this may impact the healthcare setting. 11 mins.

Edmonton

Ethics & Competency in the Elderly: A Presentation by Bashir Jiwani
Tape #1
This presentation by Bashir Jiwani deals with capacity and ethics. It begins with a discussion of what ethics means, what values are involved and the relationship between ethics and healthcare. It also discusses the role of the healthcare provider and beneficence. After an introduction to ethics, the presentation moves into a discussion on capacity and informed consent. It stresses that informed consent is not a discrete event but a continual process. The moral and legal relevance of informed consent are discussed as well as autonomy.

Edmonton

Ethics Committee Case Consultation: Ross/Bayley
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (20 min)
This video explores elements of an ethics consultation, which includes intake, case review, and follow-ups. Also discussed are the elements of case consultation, which includes such things as protocol and ethical principals. A list of seven “Thou Shall Not” commandments are given for ethics committees to follow. 20 mins.

Calgary

The Ethics Committee
Part I - Patient and Family Education (15 mins)
This tutorial explains what an ethics committee is, how it serves patients and their families, and how to utilize a committee. It also discusses personal and Advance Directive, and how communication plays a key role in the doctor-patient relationship. Part I serves as an introduction to those unfamiliar with ethics committees.

Part II - Committee In-service Training (17 mins)
Outlines five essential building blocks needed to establish an effective ethics committee including planning and structure; education and expertise; respect; accessibility; and evaluation. Part II is appropriate for those familiar with the structure of ethics committees.

Calgary

Euthanasia: Frontline Dutch Experience (1989)
PBS.
Holland is the only country that, while not legalizing euthanasia, has approved methods for carrying out doctor-assisted death. This film follows three cases of euthanasia from both the doctor and patient perspective, discussing the issues and challenges that follow afterwards. 47 mins.

Edmonton

Father Knows Best: A Case Study About Advance Directives (with Study Guide)
Produced by the Bioethics Development Group. (12 min)
This video documents a son’s emotional journey in dealing with his father who was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The narrator details his father’s wishes regarding treatment, discussing Advance Directive, living wills, feeding tubes, and surrogate decision-making. It also explores the frustration and stress that families must deal with in respecting their loved one’s decisions. 12 mins.

Edmonton

For Goodness Sake: A Comedy Revue on Why It's Good to be Good
Produced by Dennis Prager & Richard Markey. 25 minutes
In a series of hilarious vignettes, this film explores goodness from every angle: what it is, why it’s so important, and how you can bring it into your life. This is an inspiring and funny film that reminds us that being good isn’t simply not being bad.

Calgary

For Goodness Sake II: A Comedy Revue on the Importance of Good Character
Produced by Dennis Prager and Rich Markey (approximately 44 min)
This two-part video uses comedy to examine the importance of having good character and how it is more important to choose friends and employees based on that principle. Using basic common sense principles this educational satire shows us why we often value good character in other people.

Calgary

From Rules to Caring Practices: Ethics and Community-Based Care for Elders
(15.5 min)
This video is intended to serve those who are responsible for the care of the elderly, along with those who desire to learn more about the issues that the elderly face on a day-to-day basis. Four cases are presented with each addressing an issue that the elderly face, including establishing a respectful and trusting relationship, miscommunication and misunderstanding, dealing with family, and death. Workbooks allow for the user(s) to examine and engage the video material. 15.5 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Futile Treatment: A Conversation With Laurence Schneiderman
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (18 min)
Futility has become an important topic in ethics, which raises concerns for many. Schneiderman fears that the goals of medicine and futility conflict. The goal of medicine is to heal and do all that is possible to achieve this result. However, this goal may lead to treatments that are not beneficial, or rather, treatments that are futile. Questions also arise around the definition of standard of care, legal responsibilities, and definition of futility.18 mins.

Calgary

The Future of Our Health and Health System: Stories of Choice (1996)
Government of Canada, National Forum on Health. Produced by the National Forum on Health/ Forum national sur la sante 1996 (Sept.). (30 min)
Ethical issues that arise in health care are explored in five vignettes, including resource allocation, acute vs. chronic care, health care spending and cuts, community based care, and private care. At the end of each scenario, a number of questions regarding the costs, quality, access and future viability of the health system are presented. These are meant to engage the viewer in a dialogue about some of the key issues seen in our health care system today. 30 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Giving Bad News: Practical Advice for End of Life Situations
Produced by Media Services Centre, Providence Health Care, 2004

Calgary

Helene Sawatzky Plans to Fight a Hospital (1998)
CBC National Magazine, December 28, 1998.
This is the story of Helene Sawatzky and her fight for treatment of her husband who suffered from advanced Parkinson’s. Helene and hospital officials disagreed over the treatment of her husband. This film documents the legal battle that ensued, the disagreement over the definition of futile treatment, limitations of autonomy, and the delicate balance between ethical vs. medical decisions. This video ends asking the question whose decision is it? 30 mins.

Calgary

The ICU & Personal Directives
Produced by the Calgary Health Trust. (12 min)
This video explains what the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is in detail, examining the structure and organization of an ICU unit in Calgary, the members of an ICU unit, the equipment, and the importance of having a personal directive. 12 mins.

Edmonton

Improving Communication: Helping Patients Ask Questions with Jack Glaser
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (8 min)
Jack Glaser discusses the components needed for good communication, including time, clear language and structure, the problems that make communication difficult, and how ethics committees can improve communication not only at an institute level, but also between physicians and patients. 8 mins.

Calgary

Influencing Physicians
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (17 min)
What causes physicians to practice medicine the way they do? This film tries to answer this question, arguing that medical practice is not based on medical research but rather “medical talk wisdom” or rather prior habits and methods. Most of the discussion centres on the learning behaviour of physicians. 17 mins.

Calgary

Integrated Ethics, Ethics Consultation: Responding to Ethics Concerns in
Health Care
Part I: 46 mins, Pat II: 43 mins

Calgary
Edmonton

Intensive Psychiatric Board Review Course: Forensic Psychiatry and Medical Ethics (2001)
Dr. Thomas Gutheil provides a legal perspective on many issues that arise in psychiatric practice including informed consent, testamentary capacity, (in)competency, confidentiality and privacy, duty to the patient and third parties, mental state of patients, common types of malpractice, and other forms of liability. Dr. Gutheil cites many United States legal rulings. 72 mins. .

Calgary

Kennedy Institute of Ethics Intensive Bioethics Conference
Kennedy Institute of Ethics, 1999. (10 audiotape set)

Calgary

Let Me Die (1995)
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada (52 min)
This documentary focuses on the lives of several terminal patients, and examines the quality of their lives and their right to choose to die. Throughout the video, numerous ethical issues are explored including autonomy, patient rights, experimental medicine, euthanasia, doctor-patient relationship and much more. Video presented in French with English subtitles. 52 mins.

Calgary

Life at Risk: A Closer Look at Assisted Suicide (1997) - Audiotapes
Over the course of twelve audiotapes, academic and professional experts deliver numerous presentations exploring the legal, medical, ethical and policy concerns about physician-assisted suicide. Some of the topics covered are the meaning of euthanasia, the doctor’s role, religion, voices of the terminally ill, managed care, the disabled, and much more. Speakers include Rabbi David Novak, Dr. Carlos Gomez, Dr. Herbert Hendin, and others.

Calgary

Making Hard Decisions: Insights for Health Care Providers (2001)
Advantis and Liberty Health.
This interview with Dr. Barry Smith and his wife Karen is designed to be watched by healthcare providers treating people diagnosed with life threatening illnesses. Dr. Smith discusses the impact of his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), how family and loved ones struggled, dealing with the healthcare system, struggling to effectively communicate, and making hard decisions. A guide is included with the video to help encourage healthcare providers to discuss the issues important to those facing serious illness. 20 mins.

Calgary

Making Hard Decisions: The Essence of Being Human (2001)
Advantis and Liberty Health.
This interview with Dr. Barry Smith and his wife Karen is designed to be watched by those diagnosed with life threatening illnesses, and their families and/or loved ones. Dr. Smith discusses his battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), facing the diagnosis of his illness, dealing with uncertainty, making hard decisions, dealing with health professionals, communication skills, telling family and friends, and tools for managing. This video comes with a helpful discussion guide to help families deal with the diagnosis of a life threatening illness. 30 mins.

Calgary

Middle of the End
Produced by Terra Nova Films. (28 mins.)
This video discusses decision-making as it relates to health care for the elderly. Produced in documentary style, it shows real situations ranging from an individual patient’s right to die, to the use of pharmacological restraints in a nursing home.

Calgary

Miss Evers' Boys: Based on the True Story of the Infamous Tuskegee Experiment (2001)
HBO Home Video, 2001 (DVD)
Based on a true story, this film exposes a government backed medical research effort on humans. Known as the “Tuskegee Experiment”, men infected with syphilis were led to believe they were receiving medical care when in fact were being denied medical treatment in order to study the effects of syphilis on untreated patients. 118 mins.

Calgary

National Association of Social Workers - Professional Choices: Ethics at Work
(40 min)
Interviews with numerous social workers provide insight into the ethical issues and ethical principles that social workers must face and follow. Among the ethical issues that are discussed are core values of social workers, code of ethics, professional responsibilities, ethical dilemmas, confidentiality, self-determination of the patient, indiscretions, problem solving methods, risk management, and emerging issues in social work. 40 mins.

Calgary

Option X: Beginning Now: Explorations into Genetics and Bioethics: A Senior High Resource
Critical Mass Interactive and Redemptorist Bioethics Consultancy. (CD ROM)
This is an interactive CD that is designed to stimulate thinking about bioethical issues. This tool causes the viewer to think about the future and realize that there are no right or wrong answers. The viewer progresses through numerous character stories, and is asked various ethical questions. At the end, the user becomes involved in a court decision on assisted suicide in the year 2010. Great tool to be used in schools and by students.

Calgary

The Oregon Health Plan - CBS
(CBS, 60 Minutes)
This 60 minutes segment outlines John Kitzhaber’s ideas for a reformed Oregon Healthcare Plan. The plan confronts the reality of healthcare resource allocation issues and tries to set a baseline minimum guarantee for all people. The plan is based on a list of healthcare resources that were ranked by a committee based on cost, resource intensiveness and effectiveness. This is a short film but it addresses some of the issues in healthcare rationing and presents a realistic approach to what choices need to be made.

Calgary
Edmonton

Paediatric Ethics Discussion Series and Nothing but the Truth (1993)
Produced by the Hospital for Sick Children, Bioethics Department. (12 min)
Health professionals and children discuss issues related to the disclosure of information to parents. Experts discuss the difficulty they face in keeping information from parents for the sake of their young patients, but this raises the question of what information should parents be privy to? 11 mins.

Calgary

Paediatric Ethics Discussion Series: Heaven Only Knows (1995)
Produced by the Hospital for Sick Children, Bioethics Department. (10 min)
This video explores issues in decision making when a sick child is involved. Interviews with parents, children and professionals show the difficulty that parents face when confronted with tough choices and how parents need to become equipped to make hard decisions related to their child(s) care. 10 mins.

Calgary

Paediatric Ethics Discussion Series: Promise Not to Tell (1995)
Produced by the Hospital for Sick Children, Bioethics Department. (11 min)
Issues related to confidentiality when treating children are explored in this short film. Children discuss how parents often have an image of their kids, which may or may not be changed if medical information was disclosed to them. Physicians find that confidentiality becomes more important, but more difficult when dealing with older children. 11 mins.

Calgary

Persistent Vegetative State (1988)
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (17 min)
Dr. Ronald Cranford discusses the physiology behind a persistent vegetative state as well as the controversy over this physical state. The ethical issues surrounding pain and suffering, artificial nutrition, the moral vs. legal status of the patient, and the debate over the consciousness of the patient are explored. Dr. Cranford mentions several legal cases, which relate to the moral and legal standing of the patient.17 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Personal Directives (1997)
Produced by the Calgary Regional Health Authority, December 1997. (28 min)
In 1997, Personal Directives Act allowed for a patient to leave instructions for their care once they were incompetent. This film discusses at length the components of Personal Directives, the issues and conflicts that may arise with the use of such directives, and the legal/philosophical/religious considerations when creating or implementing a personal directive. Features an interview with Al-Noor Nenshi Nathoo. 28 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Personal Directives: A Planning Tool for Albertans
Produced by The Office of the Public Guardian for the Government of Alberta
This DVD presentation contains information in English, Cree, Dene Tha and Blackfoot about how you can write your own personal directive.

Calgary

PHEN Annual Conference 1996: Health Ethics in an Emerging Health Care System
AGM Part I
Features presentations by Hon. Shirley McClellan, Dr. John Dossetor, and Dr. Michael King. McClellan begins by describing how PHEN came to be established, the mandate of the network, and the goals that PHEN hopes to achieve. Dr. Dossetor provides a general overview of ethics, including the principles of ethics, definition of ethics, the origins of ethics, place of virtue, principles of biomedical ethics, healthcare ethics, and much more. Part I ends with a discussion between audience members and Dr. Michael King. 60 mins.

AGM Part II – Ethics and Decision Making at the End-of-Life
Features Dr. Jan Storch, Dr. John Dossetor, and Dr. Douglas Kinsella speaking on ethical issues that arise at the end-of-life including competency, incapacity, consent, refusal of treatment, goals of end-of-life treatment, DNRs, and decision-making. Participants discuss ethical dilemmas that healthcare professionals face with a dying patient. Part II ends with Dr. Douglas Kinsella discussing active euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, and passive euthanasia. 60 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

PHEN Annual Conference 1996: Health Ethics in an Emerging Health Care System
Guest Speakers: Ted Keyserlingk and Alister Browne.

Edmonton

PHEN Annual Conference 1997: Hard Choices, Resource Allocation at the Caregiver Level
This film presentation discusses the ethical issues surrounding resource allocation challenges in healthcare. More specifically, the presentations deal with micro-allocation issues surrounding direct patient care. These issues are addressed through case studies that are presented and discussed in small groups. A “4 box method” or framework is used to help define and understand the ethical issues that arise.

Calgary
Edmonton

PHEN Annual Conference 1999: When Values Collide Between Care Providers & Recipients
Guest Speakers: A. Browne, S. Lewis & P. Rodney
Dr. Alister Browne provides commentary on two presentations; the first being by Steven Lewis entitled “The Ethics of Non-Standard Therapy- Using Community Resources to Satisfy Individual Preferences”. Lewis discusses various scenarios regarding a patient’s claim to non-standard care, raising the questions of a patient’s right to access this care, the reliability and validity of such treatments, sources of funding, and the ethical issues surrounding non-standard treatment.

In a presentation entitled “Setting the Context: Finding a Legitimate Place for Autonomy in Western Health Care”, Patricia Rodney describes how practitioners must be culturally aware, never assuming their own “neutrality”. She also discusses a more efficient health system characterized by greater informed decision making of patients, stewardship, and preventative ethics. 150 mins.

Edmonton

PHEN Annual Conference 1999: When Values Collide Between Care Providers & Recipients
Guest Speakers: Ted Keyserlingk & Alister Browne
This conference features presentations by Dr. Ted Keyserlingk and Dr. Alister Browne. Keyserlingk examines three ethical “stages”, those being right to refuse treatment, families right to refuse treatment for incompetent family member, and families right to treatment despite the physician’s belief that it is futile. He highlights the ethical and moral issues that are raised by each stage, citing case examples of what past action has occurred.

Dr. Browne discusses when health care providers go too far when acting in the interests of the patient. He offers 9 guidelines for practitioners to follow when dealing with patients, including setting realistic goals and recognizing the quality of life when using medical terminology. 120 mins.

Edmonton

PHEN Annual Conference 2004: Ethics in End of Life Care

Calgary
Edmonton

Please Let Me Die: The Wish of a Severly Maimed Patient (1974) (30 min)
This chronicles the life changes that a fighter pilot had to endure after being burnt beyond recognition. The former pilot discusses his initial wishes to die and his current view on life. This interview causes one to examine the idea of quality of life and faith. Warning: Contains graphic images. 29 mins.

Calgary

Protecting People in Care (1998)
Produced by the Edmonton Police Service/Government of Alberta, 10/20/98. (10 min)
Briefly outlines the “Protection of Persons in Care Act” enacted by the Government of Alberta to protect those who rely upon the care of others. This video describes the responsibilities of agencies to report any cases of neglect, as well as the responsibilities of Albertans. 10 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Renewing Health Care: Interview with Dr. Tom Noseworthy
February 4, 1997.

Calgary

A Right to Die: the Dax Cowart Case (1996) - An Ethical Case Study on CD ROM
Routledge. (Includes Teacher's Guide)
This innovative, interactive CD ROM follows the story of Donald (Dax) Cowart who, after being severely burned, requested that he be allowed to die. This CD ROM explores the issues raised by his request using numerous video and audio clips, along with printed materials, that cause the user to be drawn into the patient’s life. The user hears and sees the case unfold, and must at the end decide whether Dax’s wish should be granted. Warning: Contains graphic images.

Calgary

"The Sleep Room" (1998)
Dr. Ewan Cameron. CBC, 1998
This fictional Canadian film explores the issues of experimental medicine, legal rights of patients who undergo experimental therapies, and the responsibility of society and government to protect patients against scientific exploration. 180 mins.

Calgary

A Stampede of Zebras (1996)
Produced by the National Science Foundation. (40 min)
This fictional story focuses on the inner workings of an experiment lab, presenting numerous ethical dilemmas that face the laboratory researchers. 40 mins.

Calgary

The Sterilization of Leilani Muir (1996)
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada. (47 min)
This film documents Alberta’s dark history surrounding eugenics and the Sterilization Act, in which the Albertan government could legally sterilize persons determined to be “unfit” to bare children. This documents the story of Leilani Muir who, after being sterilized, fought to find answers regarding the eugenics movement, and seek justice. 46 mins.

Calgary
Edmonton

Susceptible to Kindness: Miss Evers’ Boys and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study
The Tuskegee Study was a 40-year experiment conducted by the United States on African American men in Alabama. Men were purposely excluded from any treatment for syphilis despite effective treatment being available. Film shows clips from the award winning drama “Miss Evers’ Boys”. 47 mins.

Transfusion Alternatives Documentary Series
Produced by The Watch Tower Society
Physicians around the world are successfully treating patients who desire to have medical care without blood transfusions. With the help of many recognized experts, this three-video documentary series explores the medical, legal and ethical principles surrounding transfusion alternatives.

Calgary

The Truth About Lying 2001
ABC News Productions (21 min)
Diane Sawyer investigates why children and adults lie. Interviews with Dr. Michael Lewis and Dr. Robert Feldman provide insight into why adults lie, and how often they do with studies showing that a person will lie an average 25 times a day. 21 mins.

Calgary

Understanding CPR: Decisions of the Heart
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (7 min)
The purpose of this film is to explain what CPR entails so that the viewer can make an informed decision in the future regarding resuscitation. It details the steps of resuscitation, explaining the reasons for, and the possible consequences, of such measures. The video’s goal is that once the viewer is informed, it becomes a “decision of the heart” whether one will choose to have resuscitation. 7 mins.

Edmonton

Toward Safe, Ethical Care
Calgary Health Region, 2006, 1:26:36
A Telehealth presentation by Paddy Rodney

Calgary

Understanding the Patient-Pharmacist Relationship and Making it Happen.
1997 (Audiotape)

Calgary

When a Loved One Stops Eating or Drinking
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (10 min)
Carol Bayley discusses artificial nutrition and hydration, highlighting the key ethical issues that are at the centre of such medical intervention. This video raises the question that if we have the technology and knowledge, should we use such knowledge and therapy every time? 10 mins.

Calgary

Who Owns My Life? The Sue Rodriguez Story (1994)
CBC Witness, 1998. (60 min)
What constitutes a good death? This is a documentary of Sue Rodriguez, who became a symbol for the right to die movement. Sue, who suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), fought a public and controversial battle for doctor-assisted suicide. This film documents the final 18 months of Sue Rodriguez’s life. 50 mins.

Calgary

Withdrawing Nutrition/Fluids.
Produced by the Center for Healthcare Ethics, Orange County, California. (28 min)
Doctor Robert Veatch, Dr. Howard Brody, and Dr. Richard McCormick discuss issues surrounding artificial nutrition. Topics that are explored include whether artificial nutrition is just another form of life support, do patients have a choice in receiving artificial nutrition, the burdens vs. benefits of such treatment, and the moral dilemma regarding “starvation”. 28 mins.

Calgary

Withholding/Withdrawing Life Support
This film features numerous panellists, including Dr. Robert Veatch and Dr. Howard Brody, discussing under what circumstances should life sustaining treatment end. Each panellist weighs in on key questions including whether withholding/withdrawing life support is a medical or moral question, burden vs. benefit, and state of competency of the patient. Each agrees that answers to such questions are not easy to give. 29 mins.

Calgary