Current Legal and Ethical Controversies in American Health Care

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Taking place each Wednesday from October 3, 2012 - November 7, 2012, this course will address an array of contemporary legal and ethical controversies that concern individuals who interact with health care providers and the American health care system as patients, family members, employers, employees, and citizens. Specific topics will include: informed consent and shared decision making; the medical malpractice system-Does it serve patients or the public very well?; regulating the biomedical research enterprise –e.g., Should I serve as a research subject? How would I be protected? Can I trust the claims of researchers?; advance medical planning and care near the end of life; governmental power to protect and promote the public health; and health reform--How are we going to achieve affordable access to quality care? Each session will include introductory information, followed by guided audience discussion of the issues, including discussion of specific case scenarios led by the instructor and different physician guests.