Law and Professional Ethics Course

Module 1: Differentiate between morals and ethics; distinguish between ethical problem, distress, and dilemma; identify the three components of an ethical problem; and identify the six steps in the analysis of an ethical problem.

Module 2: Identify and define deontological theories, teleological theories, and virtue ethics; and describe the benefits of evaluation in future decision-making. situations

Module 3: Define decisional capacity; differentiate between informed consent and implied consent; identify how informed consent is applied to minors and those who lack decisional capacity; and define and explain advance directives, to include living wills, power of attorney and do not attempt resuscitation/limitation of treatment orders.

Module 4: Define and explain confidentiality and the release of information; define HIPAA and understand its impact on the health care environment; identify what information is confidential and how it relates to the patient’s right to privacy; explain truthful disclosure and its impact on the health care environment

Module 5: Define and relate professional ethics to the health care professions; define “self-deception” and how it affects personal integrity; explain the purpose of a scope of practice; and recognize consequences of practicing outside scope of practice.

Module 6: Relate the need for continuing education to the maintenance of clinical competency and identify the role continuing education plays in patient safety

Module 7: Define conflict of interest; define real and perceived conflicts of interest; and recognize situations in which a conflict of interest exists.

Module 8: Distinguish between intentional and unintentional torts; identify common unethical or illegal acts that result in disciplinary action; identify the three basic elements of fraud; identify the consequences of tort law violations; distinguish the differences between negligence and malpractice; and understand the licensure issues affecting respiratory therapist.

Module 9: Relate relevant history regarding biomedical research to current research practice; identify directives for biomedical research, to include the Nuremburg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont report, and 45 CFR 46; identify the role of the Institutional Review Board in biomedical research.