Name: Anne Ruth Schaaphok
Age: 25
PBH cohort: 2019-2022
Bachelor’s program: Health and Life Sciences, VU
2nd master’s program: Health Sciences (track Infectious Disease & Public Health), VU
Current job/position: Data manager at Trialbureau Hematologie, AUMC

But WHY: Why did you choose to follow Philosophy: Bioethics and Health at the VU? How do you look back at your studying time there?

After I finished my Bachelor Health and Life sciences in 2017, I wondered what would be the next step. I wanted to do something that really inspired me, made me enthusiastic and gave me energy. It took me a while, but I finally figured out that the common, energy-giving theme throughout the years had been philosophy. While this revelation felt like a relief, it was quite difficult to find a master in philosophy which did not require a bachelor in philosophy, or at least a significant number of passed philosophy courses. But, after a long search, there it was: Philosophy: Bioethics and Health at the VU! The program was even more suitable than other philosophy masters, as it not only addressed philosophical writers and theories, it also focused on the more practical application of philosophy and ethics. It truly would be (and is) a relevant and interesting addition to my other master’s program: Health Sciences. You learn the “why” behind the knowledge and skills you gain in Health Sciences; how to justify your decisions and intuitions. When I look back at studying PBH, I am ever more glad that I decided to study this master, and a little bit sad that it all went by so fast. If you are doubting whether to do this program, all I can say is: doubt no more!

Pros and cons: What did you like the most about the Philosophy: Bioethics and Health program? And did you encounter any struggles?

From the start I really enjoyed the staff and the atmosphere they created. The way in which PBH courses are taught is really refreshing, also compared to other courses I have taken. It is not merely receiving information, but also engaging with the material and making it your own. Participation in the lectures and tutorials is key. For this, it is required that you read the course material, otherwise a lecture or tutorial is hard to follow and participation especially becomes difficult. This was quite different from how I experienced my bachelor courses and I needed to adjust the way in which I prepared the lectures. A lot came down to self-study and this takes time. At first, it took a while to balance both master programs and my work at the hospital, but eventually this settled and it all fell into place.

Personal favourite: What teacher/theory/course/experience you encountered during Philosophy: Bioethics and Health?

One of my favourite courses during PBH was “Moral Reasoning in Healthcare”, in which you learn various approaches to moral philosophy. During the lectures you analyse difficult cases, and conduct moral case deliberations. It was really nice to have such a practical course in the curriculum and practice the approaches with the other students. In this course, you could really see and experience the area where clinical practice meets moral philosophy.