Introduction to Medical Law and Ethics Flashcards

These flashcards cover introductory concepts in medical law, criminal vs. civil proceedings, professional ethics, and negligence based on the Chapter 1-8 lecture transcript.

Federal Law

The supreme law of the land that states will refer back to if it is more strict than state law.

State Law

Legislation that takes precedence in its jurisdiction if it is more strict than federal law.

Attendance

Described as a six-week audition for a job, considered more important than GPA in the medical field.

Negligence

Unintentional acts or accidents committed by medical professionals that occur when the standard of care is lowered.

Malpractice

A specific type of negligence where a professional standard of care was not maintained, resulting in a patient injury.

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

According to the transcript, a condition characterized by someone going 100 miles per hour from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.

Affluenza

A term referenced regarding a rich individual from Texas who claimed their wealth prevented them from knowing right from wrong after a fatal vehicle accident.

Scope of Practice

The legal range of services and activities a healthcare professional is allowed to perform, such as an MA suturing under a physician's supervision.

Liability Insurance

Basic insurance, similar to driver's insurance, used primarily by higher-level medical professionals like surgeons or anesthesiologists.

Professional Malpractice Insurance

Coverage for errors and omissions that does not cover criminal behavior.

Civil Law

Law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, often compared to 'Judge Judy' proceedings, where standard of proof is the preponderance of the evidence.

Criminal Law

Law dealing with felonies and crimes against the state, where the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt.

Misdemeanor

A crime punishable by less than one year of jail time.

Felony

A crime punishable by more than one year of prison time.

Murder

The unlawful killing of another with malice aforethought or premeditation.

Manslaughter

The killing of a person in the heat of the moment or through a loss of emotional control (voluntary) or via reckless actions like drunk driving (vehicular).

Robbery

The act of stealing from a person while they are physically present.

Burglary

The act of stealing from a location when nobody is present.

Torts

Common law civil wrongs involving unintentional negligence or intentional acts like libel and slander.

Slander

A tort involving spoken false statements that result in defamation of character.

Duty of Care

A legal obligation that requires a provider to adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others.

Certified Letter

The physical document a doctor must send via mail to legally fire or terminate a relationship with a patient.

Mandatory Reporting

The legal requirement for medical professionals to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.