Module 11: Health Law and Medical Malpractice

Welcome to Module 11

Chapter 15 addresses the topic of Health Law and Medical Malpractice.  In the health care setting HCP's are extending patient care to the best of their abilities.  However, in some situations the quality of patient care can be questionable especially when it has not reached the required standard.  These shortfalls of the minimum level of care to a patient can create a legal liability for the HCP and the health care institution.  These are the situations which this chapter addresses with reference to health law & medical negligence.

Module Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Define negligence and know the elements of medical malpractice

2.  Understand the legal distinction between feasances, nonfeasances & misfeasances

3.  Understand and apply the concept of standard of care

4.  Distinguish between scientific causation and legal causation

5.  Explain the different types of damages

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

To Do

Please read/watch all of the module learning materials (readings, presentations, videos, etc.) and complete all assignments/assessments listed below. If you have questions, please contact the course instructor or ask in the Questions About This Course forum.

  1. Read the required pages
  2. Complete Quiz 4 and submit by 5/10.  (The fourth quiz will be based on Chapters 13-15.  The review notes for Chapters 13 & 14 are posted below in the instructional materials.  The review notes for Chapter 15 will be posted in this module in the instructional materials on 5/8.  As this is an open-book quiz use the review material to guide you to know where to concentrate on in the chapter when you are taking the quiz.)
  3. Complete Assignment 7 and submit by 5/10
  4. Complete the Final Exam and submit by 5/11.  As this is the last week of instruction the link for the final exam is included in this last module.  The instructions for the final exam will be posted on 5/10.

Readings and Presentations:

  • Read chapter 15: 339-358 and as you do pay particular attention to the following sections: health law which examines four major concerns including the quality of health care, the cost of health care, access to health care and respect or concern for the interests of the patient; medical negligence which explores duty & standard of care.  This is followed by the sections on causation and damages.  There are essentially two types of causations which are scientific and legal.  Finally, the writer proceeds to examine the five different types of damages.   

Assignments/Assessments:

QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 13.docx Download QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 13.docx

QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 14.docx Download QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 14.docx

QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 15.docx Download QC Medical Ethics Review Notes Chapter 15.docx

Submit Quiz 4 by 5/10

Submit Assignment 7 by 5/10

Submit the final exam by 5/11

Click the Next ▶ button to continue.