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Start by reading and following these instructions:
1. Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus.
2. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully.
3. Consider the discussion and any insights you gained from it.
4. Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources, use APA style as required, check your spelling.
Assignment:
- Thoroughly explain the similarities and differences between slander and libel.
- Thoroughly describe the differences between civil and criminal laws.
- Unprofessional conduct, personal incapacity, or professional incapacity can lead to the revocation of a physician’s license to practice medicine. List one reason why a physician could have their license revoked and what the impact of that infraction could have on their ability to practice medicine – which would be the cause for the revocation.
- A state medical board not only has the authority to grant a license, but grounds for its revocation, and to establish a required report. Choose one of the three authorities of a state medical board, and explain the rationale as it impacts the public.
- In addition to licensure, a physician may become certified in a particular specialty. Briefly explain the certification process.
- Confidentiality refers to keeping information private. Briefly describe why this is such an important part of health care and physician practice.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: As a medical professor, it is important to not only teach students medical knowledge and skills but also to educate them on the legal aspects of practicing medicine. In this assignment, we will explore topics such as slander and libel, civil and criminal law, revocation of a physician’s license, state medical board authority, certification in a medical specialty, and the importance of confidentiality in healthcare.
1. Slander and libel are both forms of defamation. Slander is spoken defamation, while libel is written defamation. Both can result in harm to someone’s reputation, but the key difference is that slander is harder to prove in court since it is not a permanent record like libel.
2. Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, such as breach of contract or property damage. Criminal law deals with crimes committed against society as a whole, such as murder or theft. The key difference is the punishment for breaking the law – civil law results in compensation for damages, while criminal law results in fines or imprisonment.
3. Unprofessional conduct, personal incapacity, or professional incapacity can lead to the revocation of a physician’s license to practice medicine. An example of unprofessional conduct that could result in license revocation is engaging in a romantic relationship with a patient. This can lead to a breach of trust and compromise the quality of patient care. The impact of license revocation is that the physician may no longer practice medicine legally, which can result in a loss of income and damage to their reputation.
4. One authority of a state medical board is the establishment of a required report for healthcare providers to report any adverse actions or incidents that occur in the course of patient care. This authority impacts the public by ensuring that healthcare providers are being held accountable for any mistakes or negligence that may harm patients. By requiring mandatory reporting, the medical board can track patterns or trends of adverse events, and take steps to prevent them from happening in the future.
5. Certification in a medical specialty means that a physician has completed additional education and training beyond medical school, and has passed an exam to demonstrate proficiency in that specialty. The certification process varies by specialty but typically involves a combination of supervised experience, continuing education, and passing a specialty-specific exam. Certification can enhance a physician’s career opportunities and validate their competency in a particular area of medicine.
6. Confidentiality is crucial in healthcare because it helps to build trust between patients and healthcare providers. Patients must trust that their personal and medical information will be kept private, and healthcare providers have a legal and ethical obligation to maintain confidentiality. Breaches of confidentiality can result in a loss of trust and can harm the patient’s health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential that healthcare providers take measures to protect patient privacy, such as limiting access to medical records, obtaining informed consent for disclosure, and using secure electronic communication channels.
