Patient Rights and Healthcare Ethics

In the "Patient Rights and Healthcare Ethics" course, students will explore the fundamental principles and practices of patient rights and ethical considerations in the healthcare industry. The course covers a wide range of topics, including informed consent, treatment decisions, research participation, billing, and patient responsibilities.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the Historical Context and Core Ethical Principles: Outline the development of modern patient rights and the foundational ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
• Explain the Informed Consent Process: Detail the components and step-by-step approach to obtaining informed consent using communication strategies that support health literacy.
• Evaluate Patients’ Decision-Making Rights: Discuss patients' rights to accept or refuse treatment, including the role of advance directives and the legal and ethical implications.
• Identify Additional Patient Rights: Describe rights related to telehealth access, dignity, nondiscrimination, safety, and privacy protections under HIPAA.
• Demonstrate Financial Transparency Practices: Show how patients can question charges, request itemized medical bills, and ensure financial clarity.
• Summarize Patient Responsibilities: Identify key responsibilities such as providing accurate information, following treatment plans, managing appointments, and addressing financial obligations.
• Outline Patient Conduct When Refusing Treatment: Explain how to respectfully decline recommended care while maintaining appropriate behavior toward staff and facilities.
• Differentiate Pediatric Patient Rights: Clarify the rights of minors and the shared decision-making roles of parents or legal guardians.
• Discuss the Impact of the Affordable Care Act: Review how the ACA strengthened patient rights through the Patient’s Bill of Rights, improving access and reducing healthcare barriers.