A. Doctor- Patient Relationship

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the expectations of the doctor and the patient of each other.

2. Describe the legal basis of the expectations within the doctor-patient relationship.

3. Define the doctor's duty to provide care.

4. Describe the requirement to maintain confidentiality of care.

B. Consent

The student will be able to:

1. State the law as it relates to consent for care including;

- provision of information necessary for the patient to make an informed decision and give or withhold consent.

- Circumstances in which the individual cannot give such consent such as young age, diminished ability to comprehend and exceptions to the usual requirement for consent such as medical emergencies.

C. Standard of Care and Liability

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the standard of care expected in patient management.

2. Outline the requirements for establishment of legal liability including;

- duty to provide care

- dereliction of duty

- damages to the patient

- causation

3. Describe the application of civil and criminal law, and the concepts of negligence and battery

4. State the importance of documentation of care.

5. Recognize the medical record as a clinical and as a legal document.

D. Mandatory Reporting

The student will be able to:

1. List the requirements for mandatory reporting which include the following exceptions to the usual requirement for confidentiality;

- the duty to report a reasonable suspicion of child abuse

- the requirement to report the existence of some sexually transmitted diseases.

- the duty to report spousal abuse in some provinces.

E. Special Legal Requirements Relating to Fertility Control

The student will be able to:

1. Outline his/her responsibilities to provide confidential family planning when required by a minor.

2. Outline the legal aspect of obtaining consent for sterilization.

3. Outline the legal aspects of providing an abortion for a patient.