INDS B.A.: Ethics in Patient Centered Medicine
Spring 2026 Capstone
My INDS Degree
With my INDS degree, I plan to study various disciplines to gain a robust understanding of ethics applied to the interpersonal patient aspect in medicine. These aspects can be practiced and described using the pillars of holism. Holistic care tends to be misunderstood by many as an alternative route of patient care, rather than a type of approach using various disciplines of sociology, philosophy, psychology, etc. The National Institute of Health describes holistic medicine as “…an attitudinal approach to health care rather than a particular set of techniques. It addresses the psychological, familial, societal, ethical and spiritual as well as biological dimensions of health and illness” (NIH). Practicing holism in medicine is helpful because it gives physicians the ability to tailor various approaches that focus on the individuality of patients which ultimately improves the quality of patient care. In order to create a degree plan based on the holistic approach, specific disciplines that I will focus on within this degree include: psychology, gender studies, sociology, biology and anthropology, with a main focus of philosophy.
Degree Mentors
Post Graduation Plans
As a pre-medical student, my goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. My INDS degree is intentionally designed to address the ethical, psychological, social, and historical dimensions of medicine that are especially central to patient-centered care. Grounded in a holistic approach, my coursework integrates philosophy and ethics, sociology, psychology, gender studies, anthropology, and the history of medicine to examine how identity, power, trauma, and structural inequities shape healthcare experiences. These are all relevant to reproductive health, where autonomy, justice, and communication are essential. My capstone research on the healthcare and reproductive health experiences of women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) further strengthens my commitment to inclusive, disability-competent care. I trust that my INDS degree will aid me in becoming a reflective, ethical, and compassionate doctor who prioritizes empathy, autonomy, and equitable care.
Courses In My INDS Degree
✅Ethics of Medicine: Many controversies in medicine stem from ethical disagreements concerning biological systems. In clinical settings, it is vital for physicians to be well versed in ethics in order to provide the best care for their patients. Medical ethics includes exploring autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (PHIL 358, 375, 475, 257)
✅Societal Implications in Healthcare: One of the main principles of holism is understanding how sociological factors can affect an individual. As physicians, it is important to recognize the negative effects of inaccessible healthcare, the specific groups affected, as well as what causes these types of disadvantages. (SOCY 351, 452, GWST 381)
✅Psychology: Psychology is a fundamental and essential discipline to understand when treating patients. While practicing holism in patient care, it is important to recognize and deduce certain mental standings when addressing and treating patients. Psychology in medicine will be taught in medical school, so this area of concentration is beneficial to explore as a pre-medical student. (PSYC 306, 340, 385)
✅ Historical Practices of Medicine: In order to understand the nature and history of certain practices of medicine, I will explore the roots of where they stem from. The history of medicine is significant to address in current practices of medicine. Including how historically, social groups have faced negative impacts such as the malpractices of pseudoscience, some that are still around today- which play a significant role in holism, as it addresses the social past of people. (ANTH 312, BIOL 487, 476)
✅ Individualized Study: The required courses, as well as research method courses for the INDS major that guides the student in creating and exploring their individualized study. (INDS 330, 335, 430, 480, 490)