1. Chapter 1--Introduction to Law & Ethics
PowerPoint to accompany Law & Ethics For Medical Careers Fourth Edition Judson · Harrison · Hicks
Chapter 1--Introduction to Law & Ethics
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2. Introduction to Law & Ethics
OBJECTIVES
Understand importance of law & ethics to healthcare providers
Learn about the history of codes of ethics and the importance of those codes today
Define and determine the differences between moral values, law, ethics, bioethics, etiquette, and protocol
State consequences of illegal and unethical behavior
Discuss at least five bioethical issues of concern to healthcare providers

3. Why Study Law & Ethics? Two main reasons
Help you to perform at a professional level
Help you to avoid law suits
Other reasons:
Learn about rights, responsibilities and concerns of healthcare consumers
Learn about legal and ethical issues facing society, patients, and healthcare providers
Learn about the impact of rising costs on law and ethics of healthcare delivery

4. Law and Ethics Compared
Set of governing rules
Minimum standards established to protect the public
Punishable by fines, imprisonment, revocation of license
Ethics
Principles, standards, a guide of conduct
Elevates standards of competence, builds values and ideals
Punishable by suspension or eviction from medical associations

5. Ethics and Etiquette Compared
Standards of behavior that reflect right or wrong
May be over and above that which is legal
Are derived from moral values
Etiquette
Standards of behavior that reflect good manners
Protocols are the standards of etiquette in your place of employment

6. Professional Code of Ethics
Most healthcare professions have a professional association that has developed a code of ethics
These codes of ethics govern the behavior of members and increase the level of competence and standards of care within the group

7. Ethics Committees
Hospitals and other healthcare organizations have ethics committees
Members include doctors, nurses, social workers and a bioethicist
Help to clarify the difficult issues and look at possible alternatives
May help with conflict resolution
Are not policy making committees

8. Successful Healthcare Practitioner Qualities
People Skills:
Strong verbal communication skills
Empathic
Good writing skills
Good listening skills
Patient with others
Is a team player
Maintains confidentiality
Tactful
Shows a sense of responsibility
Leaves work at work and home at home!!

9. Successful Healthcare Practitioner Qualities
Technical Skills
Willingness to learn new skills
Computer literacy
Proficient in English, science & math
Aptitude for working with the hands
Able to document well

10. Ethics Guide Discussion
If you went to work in a medical office where you discovered that unnecessary medical services were being provided, what would you do?
After Hurricane Charlie hit in Florida, one medical assistant found herself in a very difficult situation. When she went back to work, she knew the power had been off for at least twenty hours in the building and that all the medications in the refrigerator could have been compromised. However, several patients needed tetanus vaccinations due to injuries from cleaning up debris from the hurricane. She was told by the nurse practitioner to use the available vaccinations. What would you do?