Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Law, Ethics, and Professionalism in Healthcare

 Title Abbreviation:   LAW/ETHICS/PROFESSIONAL

 Department:    AHE

 Course #:    103

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    510801

 EPC:    381

 REV:    2019


 Course Description  

Legal and working relationships between medical personnel and patients; professional liability; intentional and unintentional torts; contracts; law of agency; informed consent; professional practice requirements; medical ethics; public duties and responsibilities; licenses and accreditation; workplace legalities; influence of cultural mores. Professionalism and image, goal setting, time management, and relationships between healthcare teams.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: AHE 101, or concurrent enrollment, or department chair permission.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. State selected guidelines/requirements for health care.
  2. Discuss the relationship between medical ethics, professional Code of Ethics and professionalism.
  3. Be cognizant of and respond to risk management issues. Recall workplace legalities.
  4. Identify and respond to issues of confidentiality. Recognize the health care professionals� legal and ethical boundaries.
  5. Recount public duties and responsibilities of health care personnel. Confirm their awareness of patients� rights.
  6. Monitor legislation related to current health care and practice. Make appropriate documentation.
  7. Determine types of business arrangements appropriate to a physician�s office. Comment intelligently on cultural and social issues concerning medicine.
  8. Compare and contrast job descriptions, credentialing requirements, legal and ethical responsibilities for healthcare professionals.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to set goals and utilize effective time management strategies.
  10. Project a positive attitude and demonstrate cultural competence in interactions with patients and team members.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Introduction to law, ethics, and professional standards for healthcare.
  2. Practicing in a medical office as a healthcare team member.
  3. Law and the courts. Contracts.
  4. Professional liability and medical malpractice. Defenses to liability suits.
  5. Medical records and informed consent. Physician's public duties and responsibilities.
  6. Workplace legalities. Medical ethics.
  7. Principles and social policy issues.
  8. Professional organizations, credentialing and team member roles for allied health professionals.
  9. Goal setting and time management.
  10. Cultural competency in healthcare teams.