AHEA 110 - Medical Law and Ethics

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
The course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of medical ethics and law. The student will gain a knowledge of law, medical ethics, and bioethics as they impact current health care practices. Special emphasis will be placed on documentation, types of consent, standard of care, physician-patient relationship, licensure and accreditation, and professional liability and malpractice. 

Text
Judson, K., Harrison, C., & Hicks, S. (2021). Law and Ethics for Health Professionals (9th ed.) McGraw Hill.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Demonstrate the ability to accurately document medical records.

B. Identify government guidelines for workers compensation reports.

C. Identify the procedures necessary for release of information from the medical record.

D. Discuss current health care issues and policies and the significance of confidentiality, HIPAA and patient rights in the medical office.

E. Discuss factors involved in initiating and/or terminating medical treatment.

F. Define the significance of consent and the role of the medical assistant in obtaining consent.

G. Explain measures for the prevention of professional liability.

H. Discuss current health care issues and policies.

I. Define elements of the court system.

Content
Through application of classroom lectures, reading assignments, and group discussions, the following content will be presented:

A. Documentation of medical records.

B. Government guidelines for compensation reports.

C. Procedures for release of information.

D. Significance of confidentiality and HIPAA.

E. Procedures for termination of treatment.

F. Proper documentation of consent.

G. Prevention of liability.

H. Current healthcare issues.

I. Elements of the court system.

Student Evaluation
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I: exams and quizzes

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I: assignments

A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I: research paper