MED 118 Medical Law and Ethics

Lecture: 2 Lab: 0 Clinic: 0 Credits: 2

This course covers legal relationships of physicians and patients, contractual agreements, professional liability, malpractice, medical practice acts, informed consent, and bioethical issues. Emphasis is placed on legal terms, professional attitudes, and the principles and basic concepts of ethics and laws involved in providing medical services. Upon completion, students should be able to meet the legal and ethical responsibilities of a multi-skilled health professional.

Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Medical Assisting Program, MED 110 and MED 114.
Course is typically offered in Spring.
Course has transfer restrictions - 2 years

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon completion, students should be able to meet the legal and ethical responsibilities of a multi-skilled health professional.

Define the legal relationships between physicians and patients, including the rights and responsibilities of each party, as well as the implications for confidentiality, privacy, and informed consent.
Explain the contractual agreements involved in healthcare, such as physician-patient contracts, insurance contracts, and managed care agreements, highlighting the legal obligations and implications for all parties involved.
Analyze the principles of professional liability and malpractice in healthcare, evaluating case studies and legal precedents to understand the elements necessary to establish negligence and potential defenses.
Evaluate the relevance and impact of medical practice acts, including state-specific regulations and licensure requirements, on the delivery of healthcare services, and how it affects patient safety and professional practice.
Apply the concepts of informed consent to healthcare scenarios, demonstrating an understanding of legal and ethical considerations involved, and appropriate steps to ensure patient autonomy and shared decision-making.
Synthesize the principles of bioethics with legal frameworks, addressing contemporary issues such as end-of-life care, reproductive rights, genetic testing, and research ethics, while highlighting solutions that balance ethical principles with legal obligations.
Analyze the cultural and ethical dimensions of legal issues in healthcare, exploring how cultural norms, values, and beliefs influence the interpretation and application of laws and ethical principles in different societies, as they apply to other strategies for culturally competent legal and ethical decision-making.
Critically evaluate ethical dilemmas and situations encountered in the medical setting, considering legal and moral implications and making informed decisions accordingly.