| Details | The web-based course on Human Rights and Ethics for Prison Doctors was originally developed in 2004 by the Norwegian Medical Association, in cooperation with the World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). Various associations and organisations have contributed to the course. The project was sponsored by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. International human rights law and medical ethics are dynamic, they adapt to evolving societies and the practice of medicine. Thus, existing courses need regular and comprehensive updates. In 2019-2020, the ICRC in partnership with the WMA undertook an update of this course, especially in relation with human rights, medical ethics, mental health, healthcare for women and accompanying children in detention and other vulnerable groups. The prison doctor’s challenges: Doctors and other health professionals working in prisons face problems that are different from those encountered by doctors working with the general population. Prison doctors must be able to provide adequate health care in the particular environment that exist in prisons. The doctor’s conduct must not be in conflict with international human rights and ethical standards. In many countries little educational opportunities are provided to health professionals working in detention settings. It has direct repercussions on the quality of health care provided to detainees and the health outcomes of this population. Many doctors do not have access to international conventions and rules regulating health care services for prisoners. They encounter human rights violations, but do not know how to deal with them adequately. We believe this course will meet some of the needs many prison doctors have for more knowledge and skills in human rights and medical ethics. |
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