Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare

This course provides an overview of the ethical and legal principles that govern healthcare practice. This course explores the complex ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals, including issues related to patient rights, confidentiality, informed consent, end-of-life care, and access to healthcare. Students will examine the legal frameworks that regulate healthcare, such as malpractice, liability, and regulatory compliance. The course emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making and legal accountability in ensuring patient safety and upholding professional standards in healthcare.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understanding Ethical Principles in Healthcare: Students will develop a strong understanding of key ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, and how they apply to healthcare practice and decision-making.
• Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas: Learn to identify and analyze ethical dilemmas in healthcare, including issues related to patient confidentiality, end-of-life decisions, and resource allocation, and develop strategies for addressing these challenges in a responsible manner.
• Understanding Healthcare Law and Compliance: Gain knowledge of the legal frameworks that govern healthcare, including medical malpractice, liability, and regulatory compliance, and understand how healthcare providers can navigate these laws to minimize legal risks.
• Ethical Decision-Making in Practice: Develop skills in applying ethical decision-making models to real-world healthcare scenarios, ensuring that patient care is guided by both ethical considerations and legal requirements.

These outcomes aim to equip students with the ethical and legal knowledge necessary for healthcare professionals, preparing them to navigate complex healthcare environments and uphold the highest standards of patient care and professional conduct.