Catalog Description

Hours: 36 lecture
Description: Legal relationships of physicians and patients, contractual agreements, professional liability, malpractice, medical practice acts, informed consent, and bio-ethical issues. Emphasis is placed on legal terms, professional attitudes, and the principles and basic concepts of ethics and laws involved in providing medical services for the allied health professional. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply code of ethics and the responsibilities of healthcare providers to patients and other physicians.
  • CSLO #2: Apply HIPAA regulations, privacy act and ethical boundaries when interacting with health care organizations, physicians, and patients.

Effective Term

Spring 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

36

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

108

Course Objectives

  1. Describe the difference between law and ethics.
  2. Differentiate between ancillary, technicians, physicians, allied healthcare providers and their obligation to law and ethics.
  3. Understand similarities and differences of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPO)
  4. Describe and outline the standard of care as it relates to medical management.
  5. Discuss and understand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  6. Describe the standard of release of information and the protocols to follow.
  7. Understand and describe the health professional role in death and dying situations in comparison to the durable power of attorney, the family, and the patient itself.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: After completing a study guide, students will participate and apply their knowledge in a structured classroom discussion on moral principles and elements of ethical decision making.
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Students will take a multiple choice exam based off of the reading and lecture material. Question Example: All of the following are medical ethics theories EXCEPT: a. Deontological Theory b. Virtue Theory c. Autonomy Theory d. Teleological Theory Answer: C. Autonomy Theory
          • Projects
            • Example: Students will write a final paper about a Current Law and Ethics subject. The paper will be graded by the instructor

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. The lecture will cover key healthcare laws, such as HIPAA and informed consent, and explore foundational ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Following the lecture, students will engage in a guided discussion on real-life case studies where legal obligations may conflict with ethical considerations.
          2. Students will work in groups to review a case study involving an ethical dilemma commonly encountered in healthcare settings. Together, they will discuss potential actions and solutions, considering both professional standards and personal values. This activity is designed to prepare students for real-world ethical challenges they may face as healthcare professionals. This activity helps them with critical thinking and decision-making skills that are essential for their future careers.

          Distance Learning

          1. Students will be given examples of scenarios of applicable law cases and ethical situations - e. g. Elements of Ethical Decision Making (Chapter 3). An example would be a discussion on the statement "The law of medical negligence presents too many hurdles to claimants seeking compensation." Students will perform critical thinking exercises and answer discussion questions. Example: Discuss the statement on medical negligence with relation to breach of duty and causation.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          Students will be assigned chapters to read on Ethical Issues and medical law from the textbook and will identify the key principles. This will prepare the students for discussion in class. In the surgical setting, surgical technologists often face dilemmas that involve patient safety, informed consent, and the responsibilities of the surgical team. Consider a scenario where a patient is undergoing a procedure, but the surgical technologist discovers that the patient has not received adequate information regarding the risks involved, potentially compromising informed consent. 1. What ethical obligations does the surgical technologist have in this situation? 2. How should the surgical technologist navigate the legal implications of their responsibilities while ensuring patient safety and advocating for proper informed consent? 3. What protocols should be in place to address such situations effectively within a surgical team? Use this framework to analyze the balance between ethical responsibilities and legal requirements in surgical practice.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          Students will read a current news story relating to ethics in healthcare. The students will write a description of the ethical issues involved in each article and their opinion on it.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          The students will complete a research paper describing a current ethical issue of their choice. The paper will discuss what the current arguments are for and against the ethical issue.

          Required Materials

          • Medical Law and Ethics
            • Author: Fremgen, Bonnie F.
            • Publisher: Pearson
            • Publication Date: 2022
            • Text Edition: 6th
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.