AH-131: Medico Legal Principles for Health Care Practitioners

School
Health and Human Services
Division
Health Careers
Department
Health Careers
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Allied Health
Course Number
131
Course Title
Medico Legal Principles for Health Care Practitioners
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Catalog Course Description

Provides a core foundation of the basic legal issues specific to the health care practitioner. Focuses upon laws related to the delivery of care as well as health care employment issues.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement

Upon completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of basic laws related to the delivery of health care and health care employment.

Core Course Topics
  1. The Legal System
  2. Legal Concepts as applied to Health Care Employment
  3. Professional Liability
  4. Privacy Laws
  5. Labor Laws affecting Health Care Employment
  6. Labor Laws affecting Medical Records
  7. Laws related to Safety and Welfare in Health Care Employment
  8. Issues related to Living
  9. Issues related to Dying
  10. Public Duties
  11. Healthcare Trends
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Discuss the American legal system as it relates to the American health care system.
  2. Differentiate between criminal and civil law.
  3. Define the following: licensure, certification, registration and accreditation.
  4. Discuss how healthcare providers are licensed and regulated.
  5. Explain professional liability and the different types of medical liability insurance.
  6. Describe the elements of a lawsuit.
  7. Explain the four C’s of Medical Malpractice Prevention.
  8. Discuss how privacy laws are designed to protect patients.
  9. Describe HIPPA and the responsibilities of health care practitioners concerning privacy, confidentiality and priviledged communication.
  10. Explain the doctrine of informed consent.
  11. Discuss the laws directly related to work place safety.
  12. Discuss accepted criteria for determining death.
  13. Describe the Patient Self-Determination Act including advanced directives and health care proxy.
  14. Outline the major trends which will impact health care for the near future.
  15. Given an assigned court case, summarize and defend your opinion of the case.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Students will be assessed using a combination of assignments, tests, and online participation.

Texts

Textbook(s) determined by the School of Health and Human Services.

Effective Term
Fall 2019