Contents

Preface, vii

A Letter to the Student from the Author, ix

How to interpret Case Citations, x

About the Author, xi

Reviewers, xii

1. Introduction to Medical Law, Ethics, and Bioethics, 1

PART 1:

THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT, 29

2. The Legal System, 30

3. Essentials of the Legal System for Health Care Professionals, 53

4. Working in Today’s Health Care Environment, 71

PART 2:

THE HEALTH CARE ENVIRONMENT, 93

5. The Physician—Patient Relationship, 94

6. Professional Liability and Medical Malpractice, 121

7. Public Duties of the Health Care Professional, 153

8. Workplace Law and Ethics, 176

9. The Medical Record, 207

10. Patient Confidentiality and HIPAA, 228

PART 3:

MEDICAL ETHICS, 255

11. Ethical and Bioethical Issues in Medicine, 256

12. Ethical Issues Relating to Life, 279,

13. Death and Dying, 305

14. Trends in Health Care, 330

APPENDIX A.  Codes of Ethics, 351

APPENDIX B. Case Citations, 354

Glossary, 357

Index, 365