UNIT TWO SEMINAR

Medical Law and Bioethics

HEALTH

What is your definition of “health?”

DEFINITION OF “HEALTH”

• The state of well-being or absence of illness.

• The general condition of body and mind.

• Soundness, especially of body or mind; freedom from disease or abnormality.

• A condition of optimal well-being.• The state of being bodily and

mentally vigorous and free from disease.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL?

A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL …

• treats patients who are injured, sick, disabled, or infirm.

• is a person who delivers proper health care in a systematic way professionally to any individual in need of health care services.

WHO IS CONSIDERED A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL?

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Physicians Therapists

Dentists Psychologists

Nurse Practitioners Chiropractors

Physician Assistants Physical Therapists

Support Staff Optometrists

Nurses Paramedics

Pharmacists

WHAT ARE SOME QUALITIES OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS?

DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS

EmpathyHonesty

DependabilityWillingness to learn

PatienceAcceptance of criticism

Enthusiasm

DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (CONT.)

Self-motivation or self-initiative

TactCompetenceResponsibility

DiscretionTeam player

SUMMARY

• All characteristics and attitudes must be practiced and learned.

• Some take more time to develop.• Be aware of these characteristics.• Strive constantly to improve. • The characteristics will help you

provide good patient care.• Possessing these characteristics will

make you a valuable asset to your employer and others.

A COURT CASE …Physician Disciplined by Board of Medical Examiners

A licensed pharmacist and a state pharmacy board investigator called a state’s Board of Medical Examiners to express concern about a physician’s prescription practices. The board investigated and found the physician had deviated from accepted standard of care by:

•Inadequately evaluating patients before prescribing antidepressants and failing to document reasons for prescriptions or following up on patient’s use of the prescribed medications.

A COURT CASE …(CONT.)

• Prescribing antibiotics for prolonged periods as treatment for urinary tract infections without determining that the infections had recurred or documenting the recurrence of the infections. The physician had also prescribed several antibiotics to a patient at once, allowing the patient to choose which antibiotic was the most effective.

• Prescribing narcotic and anxiolytic medications (drugs that relieve anxiety) to patients with nonterminal chronic pain without adequately pursuing and documenting use of available alternatives to narcotics and controlled medications.

A COURT CASE …(CONT.)

Based on the above findings, the Board of Medical Examiners placed the physician on probation for two years and ordered him to secure 60 hours of continuing education in the treatment of urinary tract infections, medical treatment of the elderly, management of chronic pain patients, and record keeping. He was also ordered to make prescription records available at all times for board inspection and was directed to stop making telephone refills for prescriptions of controlled medications.

Miller v. Board of Medical Examiners, 609 N.W.2d, 2000 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 68.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

MA

PA-C

DO

NP

CNADC

RN

MD

CNM

ETHICAL ISSUE – YOU DECIDE …

Family members of a certified medical assistant (CMA) employed by a medical clinic in a small community often ask the CMA for medical advice. Two of her family members have asked her to bring antibiotic samples home for them.

Discussion Question: In your opinion, would it be ethical for the CMA to give medical advice to her own family members? To bring drug samples home for them? Explain your responses.

HOW DO TEAMS WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE QUALITY PATIENT CARE?

TEAMWORK

• In any health care career, you will be part of an interdisciplinary health care team.

• Team concept was created to provide quality holistic health care for every patient.

• Teamwork consists of many professionals, with different levels of education, ideas, backgrounds, and interests, working together for the good of the patient.

TEAMWORK (CONTINUED)

• Teamwork improves communication and continuity of care

• Every person on the team must understand the role of each team member

• A leader is an important part of any team

• Good interpersonal relationships are essential

• Legal responsibilities

WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES OF A STRONG TEAM?

TEAMWORK

• Respect the opinion of others• Be open-minded and willing

to compromise• Don’t criticize others• Practice good communication

skills• Support and encourage team

members• Perform your duties to the best of

your ability

DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES• Services are paid for by the patient or by

the patient's insurance company; although they may be government-financed.

• Most common way is face-to-face delivery, where the care provider and patient see each other “in the flesh.”

• With modern telecommunications technology, in absentia health care is becoming more common. Practitioner and patient communicate over the phone, video conferencing, the internet, email, text messages, or any other form of non-face-to-face communication.

MEDICAL PRACTICESWhat are the types of medical practices offered to patients today?

MEDICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

• Solo Practice• Partnership• Associate Practice• Group Practice• Professional

Corporation

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Allied health professionals work with physicians and other members of the health care team to deliver high-quality patient care services for identifying, preventing, and treating disease and disabilities.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

They are essentially everyone working in health care other than doctors and nurses!

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

• There are approximately 200 recognized allied health professions

• Allied health professionals make up an estimated 60% of the US health care workforce

• Almost all allied health professions are experiencing shortages—many greater than those in nursing

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Seven of the top 10 fastest growing occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• Medical assistant• Physician assistant• Social and human service assistant• Home health aide• Medical records & health information

technician• Physical therapist aide • Physical therapist assistant

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

30.4%

9.5%

5.0%16.0%

4.1%

34.9%

Allied Health Professions

Nursing aides, orderlies &attendants

LPNs

RN's

Physicians

Administrative, supportservices

THE END