John Q Movie Discussion Questions WS (Medical Ethics)

What do you get? This document includes six (6) free-response opinion based questions based on the movie John Q, which is a movie about "a man whose nine-year-old son is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant. When he discovers that his medical insurance won't cover the costs of the surgery and alternative government aid is unavailable, John Q. Archibald (Denzel Washington) takes a hospital emergency room hostage in a last-ditch attempt to save his child." It is available for purchase on Amazon Video. It isn't on Netflix at the moment.

How is it used? I use this movie to reinforce the Legal/Ethical standards in my Introduction to Healthcare class. I like to be present when we watch this movie because it is SO great, and there are several opportunities to pause and discuss. This could also be used as a great two-day substitute teacher lesson. I am not a fan of movie guides that require students to be writing through the majority of what they should be watching. These reflection questions allow them to prove they paid attention.

How can it be extended? After having the students write their responses to these questions, you can have a class discussion about them. It can lead to some very eye-opening opinions. You can also use this movie and activity to lead into the Medical Ethics Debates. Students are so opinionated and love to be heard.