ALHS 2314 - Medical Law and Ethics

Credit hours: 3

Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to legal and ethical issues that impact health care professionals. Laws and regulations related to the health care industry such as HIPAA, Patient Bill of Rights, and standard of care are addressed. In addition, ethical and moral issues that health care professionals may encounter are presented. The student will develop an understanding of the unique interplay of the new and changing health care, technology, work force, research, financing, regulation, and personal and professional behaviors, values and assumptions that underlie the current health care system. (3 lecture hours/week) Not part of a TN Transfer

Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:

Analyze issues of law and ethics as related to health care.
Apply the primary decision-making models for examining ethical dilemmas.
Appreciate why an understanding of the legal profession is necessary for a healthcare professional.
Determine the similarities and differences between laws, ethics, and moral issues.
Differentiate between a physician’s rights in the practice of medicine and the patient’s Bill of Rights.
Assess the importance of confidentiality in the health care setting from both a legal and ethical standpoint.
Analyze the impact that local, state, and federal legislation have on practices found in health care.
Compare and contrast the roles of various members of the health care team in terms of standard of care.
Discuss the major elements of the current healthcare environment in the United States.
Evaluate the effect of personal ethics on personal job performance in a health care setting.
Determine the impact of regulations on hiring practices, employee health and safety, and employment opportunities.
Debate ethical and moral issues in health care as relates to professional liability and medical malpractice.
Determine the role of cultural, social, and ethnic diversity within health care.
Analyze the importance of complying with laws that regulate the practice of health care.
Describe the purpose of medical records and the legal and ethical considerations required to maintain patient confidentiality.