Medical Law and Ethics, Module 1

flashcards for module 1 of medical law and ethics

What are laws?

Rules and regulations established by society that can be enforced by government authorities.

What can happen when someone breaks a law?

The government or law enforcement may impose a punishment or penalty.

Why do medical laws continually change?

Society becomes more diverse, and new situations require laws to evolve.

Which levels of government have constitutional authority over laws and enforcement in the U.S.?

Federal and state governments.

Why is medical law important for health-care professionals?

It regulates professional and institutional licensing, promotes client safety, protects client-provider relationships, and identifies legal liability.

What is professional licensure?

The legal authorization required for a health-care professional to practice.

How does medical law help protect clients?

It establishes legal requirements related to safety and professional conduct.

What is liability in medical law?

Legal responsibility for actions or harm.

What additional areas are regulated by medical law?

Insurance, managed care, and federal public health programs.

What is medical ethics?

The moral standards and codes of behavior that guide actions in health care.

What is the difference between laws and ethics?

Laws are enforceable societal rules, while ethics concerns standards of right and wrong.

Why can ethical beliefs differ between cultures?

Different cultures and communities may have different moral standards and values.

What personal and cultural differences can influence ethical beliefs?

Age, gender, sexual orientation, personal background, and internal values.

What influences the development of medical ethics in the United States?

Law is an important influence on ethical standards in the U.S.

What is bioethics?

The study of ethical questions and implications arising from biomedical technology, practices, and research.

What kinds of problems does bioethics examine?

Moral dilemmas connected to advanced medicine, medical research, and questions about life.

What are three examples of bioethical topics?

Cloning, stem cell research, and gene therapy.

Who are bioethicists?

Specialists who study ethical issues in biomedicine.

Why is medical law and ethics important when considering health-care costs?

Society wants high-quality health care while keeping personal costs as low as possible.

What major debate exists about access to health care?

Whether health care should be considered a basic right or a privilege.

What ethical concern arises from new medical technologies?

Whether access to emerging medical technology is distributed fairly and equally.

What financial question creates controversy in health-care reform?

Who should be responsible for paying for health care.

What organizations have a powerful influence on health-care systems?

Medical insurance organizations and managed care systems.

What challenge do modern health-care consumers face regarding information?

They are exposed to large amounts of medical information.

What groups are increasingly being established in hospitals and ambulatory care centers?

Ethics committees and institutional review boards (IRBs).

What is one problem caused by rapidly advancing medical technology?

Technology can develop faster than legal and ethical standards can respond.

Why can having more medical specialists make patient care difficult?

It can become harder to coordinate care between multiple specialists.

What has happened to the cost of medical care according to the slideshow?

Medical costs have increased dramatically.

Why are professional codes of ethics written?

To clarify ethical standards and expectations in health care.

What is the Hippocratic Oath?

A historic medical ethical pledge emphasizing physicians' moral responsibilities and the protection of patients' rights.

Does the Hippocratic Oath itself impose legal penalties?

No. It appeals to physicians' moral judgment and professional responsibility.

Why is the Hippocratic Oath still important?

Although it originated centuries ago, it continues to carry significance in medicine.

What does the Geneva Convention Code described in the slideshow emphasize?

Professional solidarity among colleagues and care without discrimination based on religion, race, or similar factors.

Which ethical code in the slideshow emphasizes treating people without discrimination?

The Geneva Convention Code, as named in the slides.

What is the Nuremberg Code?

A code that provides ethical guidelines for experimentation involving human beings.

What is the Declaration of Helsinki?

A document providing ethical guidelines for therapeutic and scientific clinical research involving humans.

How does the Declaration of Helsinki compare with the Nuremberg Code in the slideshow?

The slideshow presents Helsinki as a more detailed development of guidelines for research involving humans.

A hospital checks whether a doctor has the legal authorization to practice. Which concept applies?

Medical law, specifically professional licensure.

A researcher studies the ethical implications of human cloning. Which field applies?

Bioethics.

A hospital considers whether expensive new technology should be equally accessible to patients. What issue is involved?

Fair distribution of access to emerging medical technology.

A researcher needs ethical guidance about experimenting on humans. Which two documents are especially relevant?

The Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki.

A health-care provider treats patients respectfully regardless of their religion or race. Which principle from the slideshow does this reflect?

Nondiscriminatory care emphasized in the slideshow's Geneva code discussion.