SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 5:56:04 AMMA 161 Course Outline as of Fall 2005

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  MA 161Title:  LAW & ETHICS MED ASST  
Full Title:  Law and Ethics for Medical Assistants
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum1.00Lecture Scheduled1.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled17.50
Minimum1.00Lab Scheduled08 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total1.00 Contact Total17.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00Total Student Learning Hours: 52.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  MA 61

Catalog Description:
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Survey of medical law and ethics related to work in medical settings. Emphasis on implications and decision making for patients, physicians, medical assistants, and other health professionals.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Survey of medical law and ethics related to work in medical settings. Emphasis on implications and decision making for patients, physicians, medical assistants, and other health professionals.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.  Analyze the implications of law and ethics to the medical professional
in a variety of health care settings.
2.  Demonstrate the ability to act responsibly as the physician's agent
with respect to legal requirements of the medical assistant in the medical
office.
3.  Define legal terminology related to medical law and ethics.
4.  Analyze the Medical Practice Act and its implications for physicians
and medical assistants in medical offices and discuss the relationship of
that document to medical office practice.
5.  Describe at least three circumstances that could lead to revocation of
the M.D. license.
6.  State the regulations and accompanying medical assisting office
practices defined by federal, state and local regulations regarding the
handling of:
   A. Narcotics (Controlled Substances Act).
   B. Treatment of minors.
   C. Reporting of statistical and communicable disease information.
   D. Collection practices.
   E. Confidentiality.
   F. Family abuse.
   G. Consent.
7.  State the common reasons for lawsuits and evaluate methods and
behaviors that promote prevention.
8.  Describe the medical assistant's role in obtaining informed consent
and list the components of informed consent.
9. Describe the components of a legal contract and distinguish between
expressed and implied contracts.
10. Identify situations violating confidentiality and propose solutions
for maintaining confidentiality.
11. Use problem-solving techniques to recognize and solve ethical
situations related to the medical assistant's role.
12. List at least 6 tasks the clinical medical assistant can perform under
California law and at least 3 tasks that are not allowed under California
law.
13. Describe the required training for clinical medical assistants.
14. Define a given list of ethical terms.
15. Explain the meaning of the ethical code for medical assistants by
listing specific ethical behaviors in the medical office.
16. List at least 5 ethical issues pertaining to medical office practice
and argue the pros and cons of each.
17. List 5 ethical issues in modern medicine and discuss the pros and cons
of one.
18. State 6 patient's rights as defined by the American Hospital
Association.
19. Identify at least 10 common medical office practices that have ethical
implications.
20. Reflect a professional approach and exhibit mutual respect for other
individuals.
21. Discuss personal values and their relationship to decision making in
ethical situations.
22. State or demonstrate at least 10 principles of medical office safety.
23. Discuss environmental safety related to noise control and prevention
of common patient accidents.

Topics and Scope
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1.  Aspects of Medical Law
     A. Legal terms
     B. Sources of law
     C. Law and the physician
     D. Legal relationship to patient
          1. standard of care
          2. liability
          3. contract, consent
          4. confidentiality
     E. Legal regulations in health care
          1. public records
          2. general liability
     F. Medical records
          1. record keeping and documentation
          2. maintenance
     G. Employee guidelines and legal responsibilities
     H. Malpractice prevention.
2.  Aspects of Medical Ethics
     A. Ethical terms
     B. Historical codes
     C. Ethics applied to medical office practice
     D. Examining values and dilemmas
     E. Ethical behaviors and problems
     F. Confidentiality
     G. Patient's Bill of Rights
     H. Codes of ethics for medical professionals
3.  Safety in the Office
     A. Principles of safety
     B. Safe practice
     C. Environmental safety
     D. Legal implications

Assignments:
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1. Read an average of 30 to 50 pages per week.
2. Complete chapter study questions and exercises (20-25 per chapter).
3. Complete 1-5 case study problems per chapter.
4. Conduct Internet research on 5-10 current medical issues pertaining
to office practice in California. Compile into notebook.
5. List California regulations and laws for clinical medical assistants,
including training requirements.
6. Write a 1-2 page paper on patient rights.
7. Prepare scenarios and participate in role playing to resolving 15-20
dilemmas.
8. Research and write a 2 page paper on a current ethical/legal issue.
9. Quizzes (3-5); final exam.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
15 - 50%
Written homework, Term papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
10 - 40%
Homework problems, Case studies; scenarios.
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
30 - 40%
Multiple choice, Matching items, Completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 5%
Preparation for and participation in discussions.


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Medical Law and Ethics by B. Fremgren., Prentice Hall. 2002.

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