UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI - CLERMONT

COURSE SYLLABUS AND SCHEDULE OUTLINE FOR

 

MEDICAL ETHICS AND LEGAL ISSUES (34-HCMT-271-901)

AUTUMN 2002

T 6:30P – 9:10P

STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING ROOM 240

 

 

 

 

Instructor Information

Instructor:            Dr. Jeff Bauer, Assistant Professor of Business/Medical

Office:                 Snyder Building 272C

Phone:                 Office:  732-5257   24-HR Voicemail

                           Fax:  732-5304

                           Faculty Secretary:  732-5255

                           Home:  753-9081

E-Mail:                Jeff.Bauer@UC.Edu

Website:              http://www.ucclermont.edu/~bauerj

Office Hours:       T 12:30P – 1:00P, 4:00P – 6:30P, Th 12:30P – 1:30P, or by appointment

 

Text Information

 

Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration, by Pozgar, 8th edition, Aspen Publishing, 2002 ISBN: 0-8342-1911-5

 

Course Description

 

A discussion and case review of codes of ethics, patient's bill of rights, medical malpractice cases, and legal and ethical issues for medical offices.

 

Course Objectives

 

1.  Explain medical ethics and apply ethical principles in health care.

2.  Explain and apply the patient's bill of rights.

3.  Understand and appreciate the importance of medical office personnel having a
working knowledge of legal principles.

4.  Examine and understand the anatomy and procedures of a medical malpractice case.

5.  Examine and understand the economic, psychological, and sociological aspects of medical malpractice.

6.  Identify and examine the ethical and legal issues of death and dying.

7.  Identify and examine the ethical and legal issues of other contemporary topics in health care.

 

 

 

Course Requirements

 

Reading Assignments:  The student is expected to read all assignments prior to the class in which they will be discussed.  He/she should be ready to participate in class discussions and activities.

 

Medical Ethics Issue Summaries:  Each student is to prepare and present two (2) issue summaries, which pertain to any medical ethics or legal issues in medicine topic.  The issue summaries are due as outlined on the course schedule.  The issue summary should meet the following guidelines:

 

1)      Research and obtain an article from any general or medical periodical (Cincinnati Enquirer, News Week, Medical Economics, etc.)

2)      A 3x5 or 4x6 card must be used

3)      Attach the article or a copy of it to one side of the card

4)      Highlight or underline topics discussed in the article which we have reviewed in class

5)      Write or type your opinion of the issue on the other side of the card.  Why is the issue important?  What other issues need to be considered?

 

Exams:  There will be two (2) exams during the quarter.  Exam formats will be true-false, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and essay.  Exams will be given as indicted on the Course Schedule.

 

Case Studies:  Individual and Group case studies in medical ethics and legal issues will be assigned during the term.  Additional details and copies of cases not contained in the text will be provided during the term.  Students will be responsible for establishing some of the case work including:  researching and reviewing cases, providing materials for the class, and leading class discussions on the case.

 

Evaluation

 

The final grade will be determined as follows:

 

Mid-Term Exam (Chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 9)                       100 Points

Final Exam (Chapters 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18)               100 Points

Attendance and Participation                                           50 Points

Issue Summaries (2 Summaries @ 25 Points Each)         50 Points

Case Studies                                                                100 Points

                                                                                    -------------

                                                Total Points                  400 Points

 

The numerical average will be calculated by dividing total points by 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES

 

Attendance and Make-Up Work

 

Attendance is a requirement of the course.  If for some reason you cannot attend a class, please let me know by using one of the phone numbers (or other means) listed above.

                                                                                                        

Assignments

 

Any assignments are due at the beginning of the class period as indicated on the Course Schedule.  Late assignments will be reduced at least one letter grade per class day at the discretion of the instructor.  Assignments will not be accepted one week after the due date has passed.

 

Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.

 

Consider this class to be a call-free, beep-free, vibrate mode-free zone of silence.

 

Make-Up Exams

 

Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor.  The student must notify the instructor of the absence before the exam begins. If proper notification is given, a make-up exam will be administered which may be significantly more challenging than the examination given on the scheduled date.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism

 

The policy as stated in the University of Cincinnati Student Handbook will be strictly enforced.  A copy of the Student Handbook is available in the Student Development Office.

 

Withdrawals

 

The current withdrawal policy of Clermont College will apply.  The withdrawal policy for this term is available in the Registration Office.

 

ADA

 

Students with Disabilities:  The policy of the University of Cincinnati Clermont College requires students to self-identify and provide proper documentation to the Director of the Learning Center, for appropriate academic assistance.

 

Grading Scale

 

The following plus/minus grading system will apply:

 

92 - 100% = A     91 -  89% = A-     88 -  87% = B+     86 -  82% = B     81 - 79% = B-

78 – 77% = C+    76 – 72% = C       71 –  69% = C-     68 – 67% = D+   66 – 62% = D

 

61 – 59% = D -   58% and Under = F

 

Note:  The course schedule and procedures are tentative and subject to change depending upon the progress of the class.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE OUTLINE – MEDICAL ETHICS AND LEGAL ISSUES

 

Week of

 

10/01   Introduction to Course, Explanation of the Syllabus, and the Schedule Outline

            Chapter One – Introduction to Law

 

 

10/08   Chapter Two – Tort Law

Chapter Four – Contracts and Antitrust (Pages 80 – 86 only)

 

 

10/15   Chapter Eight – Nursing and the Law

            Issue Summary One Due

 

 

10/22   Chapter Nine – Liability by Department and Health Professional

Review for Exam One

           

 

10/29   Mid-Term Exam - Chapters 1, 2, 4, 8, 9

Chapter Ten– Information Management and Health Care Records

           

 

11/05   Chapter Ten - Continued

Chapter Eleven – Patient Consent

 

 

11/12   Chapter Fourteen – Patient Rights & Responsibilities

 

 

11/19   Chapter Sixteen – End of Life Issues

            Issue Summary Two Due

 

           

11/26   Chapter Seventeen – Malpractice Insurance

 

 

12/03   Chapter Eighteen – Labor Relations

Review for Final Exam

 

 

The Final Exam will be Tuesday, December 10th at 6:30pm and will cover Chapters 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18.