Module 6: Legal/Ethical Issues
Module Authors
David Sellen, MSHPE, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor
Master of Science Health Professions Education
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Stephanie Bowlin, EdD, PA-C
Dean, College of Allied Health Professions
Associate Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Education
Western University Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Tina M. Meyer, PA-C
Clinical Consultant and Adjunct Professor
Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA
Review Concepts
Review Concept 1: Beneficence, Malpractice, and Confidentiality
By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:
- Identify the legal and ethical issues that effect medical practice
- Define traditional models of the patient-provider relationship
- State the principles that underlie the Fiduciary model of patient-provider relationship
- Define the concepts of beneficence and malpractice
- Explain the importance of confidentiality of patient information
- Identify exceptions to the confidentiality issue
Review Concept 2: Informed Consent
By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:
- Describe the key issues surrounding the doctrine of informed consent
- List assumptions on which the doctrine of informed consent is based
- Define informed consent and guidelines for its implementation
- Explain the conditions under which individuals can refuse medical treatment for themselves or for minors under their care
- Describe strategies for encouraging the patient to consent to medical treatment
- Outline the steps involved in resolving informed consent dilemmas
- Describe strategies for making patient care decisions when the patient is considered incompetent
- Define the role of the proxy
Review Concept 3: End of Life Issues
By the end of this Review Concept you should be able to:
- Describe the ethical issues involved in euthanasia
- Identify different types of advanced directives and their characteristics
- Describe living will requirements
- Differentiate the concepts of power of attorney and durable power of attorney
- Explain do-not-resuscitate orders or policies
- Recognize treatment issues that involve withdrawing and withholding treatment, refusal of specific treatments, and requests for specific treatments
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