Patient Care: Legal and Ethical Issues

This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of crucial healthcare topics spanning legal, ethical, and cultural competencies. Covering a wide range of objectives, the course delves into the intricacies of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient rights, standards of care, and legal doctrines pertinent to healthcare. Students will gain a thorough understanding of ethical considerations, including medical ethics and codes of ethics for different allied health fields, alongside a nuanced comprehension of healthcare laws, consent types, and cultural competency.

The curriculum also addresses critical areas such as capacity and mental competency assessments, abuse recognition and reporting, and the legal and ethical implications of patient care. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, this course aims to equip future healthcare professionals with the skills and understanding necessary to navigate the complex landscape of healthcare with professionalism and empathy.

• Define and interpret key healthcare laws and ethical principles, including HIPAA, patient rights, and medical ethics

• Identify and explain the various standards of care, types of consent (expressed, implied, informed), and their application in healthcare settings

• Demonstrate an understanding of cultural competency, including the impact of culture and religion on healthcare

• Identify and propose solutions to common legal and ethical challenges in healthcare, such as patient abuse and advanced directives

• Assess patient capacity and mental competency using standard tools and scales

• Demonstrate the correct protocols for reporting suspected abuse and effectively communicate healthcare decisions

• Licensed Radiographers

• Radiography students of all levels

• Healthcare extenders such as PAs and ARNP

• Nurses and nursing students of all levels

• Medical students