Directors:	Kenneth De Ville, Ph.D., J.D.
Telephone:	744-2797
Address:	Med Hums, Brody 2S-17
Duration:	4 weeks (1/2 days)
Students/Block:	Minimum 4 Maximum (open)
Report To:	Contact faculty
Offered:	Block 10

This is a two week equivalent selective spread over one month. It must be taken with another two week equivalent selective (including research options).

Goals
This course will provide a basic understanding of the theory and workings of the American legal system and introduce students to the legal concepts relating to various aspects of health care. This is not a course in risk management. It is designed instead to help physicians communicate effectively with policy makers and attorneys. Medical liability law will be covered in depth. The course may also include topics such as the law relating to: the care of children, end-stage life decision making, maternal-fetal issues, hospitals, managed care organizations, and professional licensure, credentials and peer review. One session may survey the laws related to health care in North Carolina.

Objectives
The student will understand:

I.	the nature of the American legal system;
II.	the legal duties of the physician; and
III.	the relationship between law and medicine.

Hours per week conference: 4
Hours per week reading: 8

Student Experience
Class meetings will consist of discussions of various legal doctrines from assigned readings and the application of those principles to illustrative hypothetical cases.

Evaluation of Student's Performance
I. Attendance
II. Readings
III. Participation