Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Spanish

French

OBJECTIVE:

To describe an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to illustrate the relationship between healthcare ethics and law.

METHODS:

A mock trial was created for students enrolled in the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy and Department of Paralegal Education. The trial served as the starting point to discuss confidentiality in health care in general and pharmacy in particular. Students from both programs served on the jury and rendered a verdict after the case had been presented. The Alabama statute concerning exceptions to confidentiality is reviewed. The students' assignment and lessons learned are also described.

SUMMARY:

Students thoroughly enjoyed this method of teaching and learning. The mock trial provided an interesting way to exemplify the often complex relationship between healthcare ethics and law.

Keywords

law ethics confidentiality

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Buerki

Vottero

. Ethical responsibility in pharmacy practice. Madison, WI: American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, 1994: 161–2.

Critical challenges: revitalizing the health professions for the twenty-first century. The Third Report of the Pew Health Professions Commission. UCSF Center for the Health Professions: San Francisco, CA, 1995.

Ala. Code § 22–11A-38 (1997 Supp.).

The American Heritage Dictionary (second college edition). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1991:386.

Ala. B. Reg 680-X-2-22.

Purtilo

. Confidentiality. In: Ethical dimensions in the health professions, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1993:99.

Siegler

. Confidentiality in medicine — a decrepit concept. In: Munson

, ed. Intervention and reflection: basic issues in medical ethics, 5th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1996: 298–301.

Winston

. Privacy and confidentiality: AIDS and a duty to protect. In: Crigger

B-J

, ed. Cases in bioethics: selections from the Hastings Center Report, 2nd ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993:47.

Adelman

Zahler

. Pharmacist-patient privilege and the disclosure of prescription records. J Pharm Law 1992/3:127.

10.

Berger

. Patient confidentiality in a high tech world. J Pharm Law 1996: 139.

11.

Brant

. Ethical issues and trouble spots. J Pharm Law 1995:25.

12.

Mowery

. A patient's right of privacy in computerized pharmacy records. U Cinn L Rev 1998(winter):697.

13.

Westbury

. Witnesses generally: Limit circumstances in which pharmacists may be required to release medical information about patients. Ga St Univ L Rev 1993:143.