PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
SPECIAL TOPICS: Law and Medicine LAW 2600
Class Hours: 3.0						Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0						Date Revised: Spring 02
NOTE: This course is not designed for transfer credit.
Catalog Course Description:
	Study and discussion of a selected topic in law. Content will vary. May be repeated with program advisor's consent.
Entry Level Standards:
	College-level competencies in logic, reading, and English are required.
Prerequisite:
	LAW 1000
Corequisite:
	LAW 1060
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
	Professor Pack
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
	Week				Topic
	1				Introduction; Health Care Specialists and Medical Specialists Health Care Standards v. the Standard of Care Medical Terminology
	2				Medical Research for the lawsuit Medical Terminology
	3				Medical Practice Acts in Tennessee Laws affecting Health Care Facilities Medical Terminology
	4				The Insurance Maze Health Care Provider Organizations Medical Terminology
	5				Orientation to the Medical Record Obtaining Copies of Medical Records Medical Terminology
	6				Health Care Provider Computer Systems The Life Cycle of the Doctor’s Order Use of Medical Records in Pre-trial Litigation Medical Terminology
	7				Introduction to the Analysis of Medical Records
	8				Analysis of the Medical Records, continued
	9				Chronological Analysis of Medical Records
	10				Chronological Analysis of Medical Records (continued)
	11				Preparations for the Medical-oriented Medical Deposition
	12				The Medical Deposition: a Live Enactment
	13				Medical Project Presentations
	14				Medical Trial Exhibits
	15				Final Examination
II. Course Objectives*:
	A.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of legal ethics.  I, III
	B.			Understand the legal concept of the practice of medicine. I, II, III, IV
	C.			Identify and differentiate the governmental bodies that regulate healthcare in Tennessee. II, V
	D.			Understand the legal concept of the practice of nursing. I, II, III
	E.			Understand the purpose of a medical records summary. II, III
	F.			Demonstrate how to prepare a medical records summary. I, II, III, IV, V
	G.			Demonstrate how to prepare a medical trial exhibit. I, II, III, IV, V
	H.			Develop a medical vocabulary. I, II, III, IV
	I.			Demonstrate how to acquire medical records. I, II, III
	J.			Understand the relationship between law and medicine. I, II, III, IV
	K.			Understand the life cycle of the doctor’s order. II, III, IV
	L.			Demonstrate the ability to find statutory law relating to medical practice acts. III, IV, V
	M.			Distinguish between health care standards and the “reasonable person” standard of care. III
	N.			Understand how to prepare for a medical lawsuit. II, III
	O.			Continue developing a legal vocabulary. I, II, III, IV, V
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the Paralegal Studies program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
	1.			Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, good manners, etc.  Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy
	2.			Refine their reading skills and expand their legal vocabularies through completion of weekly guided reading exercises that allows them to communicate more effectively with lawyers and legal professionals.  Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy
	3.			Strengthen their analytical and written presentation skills by drafting administrative documents, a comprehensive report on an assigned agency, and an observation report of an administrative hearing.   Information Literacy Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome,  Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
	4.			Examine ethical issues related to communication with adverse party, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, conflict of interest, etc.  Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
	5.			Perform course assignments such as team discussions, team case studies, experiential exercises, oral and written presentations, Internet and law-based technology research, etc. that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, goal setting and planning skills.  Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
	6.			Listen to guest speakers from the legal community to discover what kind of demand there is for legal professionals in administrative cases.   Personal Development Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
	1.			Identify the laws in Tennessee that pertain to the practice of medicine and heath care. (B, C, L, N)
	2.			Learn the different heath care specialist and medical specialties. (B, C, D, E, H, L, M)
	3.			Learn basic medical terminology, including but not limited to body systems terminology, surgical and medical procedures, medical instruments and machines, diagnostic and laboratory abbreviations and basic pharmacology. (E, F, G, H, K, L, N)
	4.			Identify and differentiate between the basic types of health care provider organizations such as hospitals, trauma centers, long-term care facilities, physician offices, and assisted living facilities. (C, J, L)
	5.			Be able to obtain, read, organize and analyze the basic medical record. (A, F, G, H, I, N, O)
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
	A. Testing Procedures:
			Students are evaluated primarily on the basis of tests. The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement.
	B. Laboratory Expectations:
		Students will work in small groups to research an assigned topic then make a class presentation on that topic. These may include the education, training, and practice of nurses, physicians’ assistants, medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, pharmacists, chiropractors, or podiatrists; the function of JCAHO, and other topics.
	C. Field Work:
		Students will complete several out-of-class skills projects. These may include: Medical Research Analysis of Medical Records Preparation of Trial Exhibits Analysis of Medical Depositions Chronological Analysis of Medical Records and Events
	D. Other Evaluation Methods:
		1. Class participation, group work, and homework will also comprise the final grade for the course. The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement. 2. All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. 3. 3. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions.
	E. Grading Scale:
		A       93-100  B+     88- 92  B       83- 87  C+     78- 82 C       73- 77 D       65- 72 F       64 and below
VI. Policies:
	A. Attendance Policy:
		Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  Attendance is absolutely essential to perform well in this course.  Absenteeism is recorded, not excused.  Twelve (12) hours of absences will result in an automatic F for the course.
	B. Academic Dishonesty:
		Cheating of any type will not be tolerated and will become an automatic zero on that paper or test.  Repetition of cheating will result in an F for the final grade.
	C. Other Policies:
		Late papers will not be accepted.  No make-up tests will be given unless the instructor has been notified and excused the student's absence.