Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.1.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Legal Framework for Rights and Obligations of Healthcare Practitioners and Patients

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
SZF_187
Branch of Science
Law; Other Sub-Branches of Law
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Clinical Pharmacy; Dentistry; Medical Services; Medicine; Midwifery; Nursing Science; Pharmacy
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Karina Palkova
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the legal framework pertaining to medical law, emphasizing the dynamic interaction between the rights and obligations of medical practitioners and patients. The curriculum will equip students with knowledge of relevant national and international legislation, as well as case law that governs the medical law sector. Furthermore, the course aims to develop students' analytical skills necessary for addressing legal issues, while simultaneously fostering their ability to apply legal norms in practical contexts. This includes competencies related to the preparation of legal documentation, advocacy for individual rights, and the safeguarding of patients’ rights. Students will engage in critical examination of regulatory frameworks concerning the rights and obligations of outsourced individuals, support personnel, and diverse patient populations, particularly in the context of emerging modern technologies. The course will also provide a solid theoretical foundation complemented by practical skills in document preparation, thereby preparing students for independent professional practice in the field of medical law.

Preliminary Knowledge

Prerequisites about ethics.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Students will acquire in-depth knowledge of the legal regulations in the field of medical law, including relevant national and international legislation and applicable case law.

2.Students will understand the interaction between the rights and obligations of medical practitioners and patients.

Individual work and tests

Informed consent

Skills

1.Students will develop the ability to analyze and address legal issues by using and identifying appropriate legal norms.

Individual work and tests

Case Study

2.Students will learn to prepare legal documents in medical law field and effectively advocate for their rights, as well as protect patients' rights.

Individual work and tests

Case Study

3.Students will enhance their ability to identify practical challenges and propose legal solutions, taking into account the regulations related to the rights and obligations of medical practitioners and pacints

Individual work and tests

Informed consent

Competences

1.Through the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, students will become competent for independent legal practice in the field of medical law.

Individual work and tests

Case Study

2.Students are able to apply acquired knowledge in the field of law by working with modern technologies, taking into account their impact on the protection of the rights of patients and medical practitioners.

Individual work and tests

Case Study • Informed consent

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Studying literature
-
-
2.

Completion of the course assessment questionnaire
-
-

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Case Study
70.00% from total grade
10 points

Case analysis as a final test.

Within the framework of the study course, the final examination - case analysis. The case study will enable practical application of the acquired knowledge and skills.

  1. Case choice:
    • each student will be assigned a specific case related to medical practitioner and patient rights issues. Cases can include a variety of scenarios such as patient consent issues, legal liability issues, data protection issues, or conflict resolution between patient and medical practitioner.
  2. Research and analysis:
    • students will conduct an analysis of laws and regulations and case law on the chosen case.
  3. Wedding solution:
    • Based on an analysis of legislation and case law, students will produce written information that will include a detailed analysis of the situation, references to relevant legal provisions, recommendations for action and arguments to support the options chosen.
  4. Assessment: The
    • results of the final examination will be assessed on the basis of the quality of the written report. The evaluation criteria will include the ability to accurately define a legislative act and identify an infringement of rights.
  5. Feedback:
    • After the case analysis, students will receive feedback from a lecturer to help assess their strengths and identify areas where there is scope to improve knowledge and skills.
2.

Informed consent
30.00% from total grade
Test

Purpose of the Test: The primary objective of this test is to evaluate students' understanding of the concept, significance, and responsibilities associated with informed consent.

Test Structure: The assessment will comprise 10 to 15 questions, including both multiple-choice and short-answer formats.

Evaluation Criteria: Responses will be assessed using a point-based system, with the final results expressed as a percentage to reflect overall performance.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Introduction to medical law
Description

The purpose of this lecture is to familiarize students with the main principles of medical law, highlighting its essence, significance, and influence on the quality of healthcare. The lecture will offer a comprehensive overview of how medical law governs the relationships between healthcare practitioners and patients, as well as an exploration of key concepts and principles.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Patients’ rights: national and international legal framework
Description

The lecture will address the rights of patients referred to in laws and regulations, such as the right to information regarding health care services and providers thereof, the right to information regarding patient health, the right to medical treatment, Rights to refuse medical treatment, the right to choose a doctor and medical treatment institution, the right to become acquainted with medical documents, Rights to religions freedom

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Patients’ rights: national and international legal framework
Description

The lecture will address the rights of patients referred to in laws and regulations, such as the right to information regarding health care services and providers thereof, the right to information regarding patient health, the right to medical treatment, Rights to refuse medical treatment, the right to choose a doctor and medical treatment institution, the right to become acquainted with medical documents, Rights to religions freedom

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Protection of the rights of minor patients in the medical treatment process.
Description

The lecture will address issues of protection of the rights of juvenile patients, as well as the duties and rights of legal representatives of juvenile patients.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Duties of patients in Medical treatment process

  1. Video Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Patient protection mechanisms and patient liability
Description

The lecture will address the patient’s duties in the treatment process and the consequences of non-compliance with the relevant duties. At the same time, options for protecting patients’ rights within the framework of national and international regulation will be addressed and analysed.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Role of the Medical risk Fund in protecting patients’ Rights

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Role of the Medical risk Fund in protecting patients’ Rights

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Rights and competence of medical practitioners and persons supporting medical treatment in medical treatment
Description

The lecture will examine the rights and competence of medical practitioners emphasising their role and importance in the healthcare process. Students will acquire an understanding of national and international laws and regulations and professional standards governing the activities of medical practitioners.

  1. Video Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Video
2

Topics

Legal and ethical aspects of communication between patient and medical practitioner (Plain language)
Description

The purpose of the lecture is to explain the importance of communication between patients and medical practitioners, highlighting the legal and ethical aspects affecting it. Lecture will provide an overview of the role of language in the therapeutic process. Deliverable result: students will gain understanding of the legal and ethical aspects of communication between patients and medical practitioners, the consequences of inaccurate communication, as well as how effective communication affects the quality of treatment and patient satisfaction. In addition, students will develop the skills needed to ensure professional and ethical communication in clinic practice.

  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
1

Topics

Test: informed consent

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Characteristics of the rights and responsibilities of medical practitioners and patients in the digital environment
Description

The lecture will address aspects of the rights and obligations of medical practitioners and patients in the digital environment, highlighting new technologies and their impact on party interaction. Legal issues related to data protection and patient rights on digital platforms will be analysed, as will technological solutions that facilitate communication between doctors and patients. The lecture will provide students with the necessary understanding of the challenges posed by the digital environment and also opportunities in healthcare.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Liability of medical practitioners and types thereof.
Description

The lecture will look at a number of forms of responsibility. Disciplinary liability of medical practitioners, administrative liability of medical practitioners, criminal and civil liability of medical practitioners.

  1. Video Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Video
2

Topics

Liability of medical practitioners and types thereof.
Description

The lecture will look at a number of forms of responsibility. Disciplinary liability of medical practitioners, administrative liability of medical practitioners, criminal and civil liability of medical practitioners.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
2

Topics

Liability of medical practitioners and types thereof.
Description

The lecture will look at a number of forms of responsibility. Disciplinary liability of medical practitioners, administrative liability of medical practitioners, criminal and civil liability of medical practitioners.

  1. Test

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
E-Studies platform
1

Topics

Case analysis (Case study)

  1. Video Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
Online
2

Topics

Protection of health data and legal challenges
Description

The lecture will look at health data protection principles and requirements under international and national law, including the GDPR. The key legal challenges of processing data will be analysed. Students will be presented with written data protection
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Pacientu tiesību likuma komentāri / Agnese Gusarova, Ronalds Rožkalns, Santa Slokenberga, Olita Staņislavska, Linda Strazdiņa [un vēl 4 autori]. Santas Slokenbergas zinātniskā redakcijā; redaktore Baiba Krauze-Krūze; priekšvārda autore Ph.D. Ineta Ziemele.

2.

Slokenberga, Olsena, Gusarova, Lieljuksis, Potaičuks, Vilka, … Tiesu namu aģentūra. (2022). Medicīnas tiesības / sagatavojis autoru kolektīvs S. Slokenbergas un S. Olsenas zinātniskajā redakcijā ; mākslinieciskais noformējums: Marina Selunska ; ievadvārdi: Sanita Osipova. (Otrais papildinātais izdevums.).

3.

Vienojoties ar studiju kursa vadītājuSuitable for English stream

4.

Law on the Rights of PatientsSuitable for English stream

5.

Directive 2011/24/EU on Patients’ Rights in Cross-border HealthcareSuitable for English stream

6.

European Charter of Patients’ RightsSuitable for English stream

7.

Pacientu tiesību likums. 2010.

8.

Ārstniecības likums

9.

Medical Treatment LawSuitable for English stream

10.

Latvijas Republikas Satversme

11.

Krimināllikums

12.

CASE OF VAVŘIČKA AND OTHERS v. THE CZECH REPUBLIC (Applications nos. 47621/13 and 5 others)Suitable for English stream

Additional Reading

1.

Health-related issues in the case-law of the European Court of Human RightsSuitable for English stream

2.

Hervey T.K., Young C.A., Bishop L.E, “Research Handbook on EU Health Law and Policy”, Edward Elgar Publishing, UK, 2017.Suitable for English stream

Other Information Sources

1.

Patients’ Rights in the European Union: Mapping ExerciseSuitable for English stream

2.

European Journal of Health LawSuitable for English stream

3.

Šāberte, L. 2024. Pacienta un ārsta tiesības paust savu reliģisko pārliecību ārstniecībā: promocijas darbs: apakšnozare – civiltiesības. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte. https://doi.org/10.25143/prom-rsu_2024-07_pd

4.

Palkova, K. 2020. Nepilngadīgo pacientu un ārstniecības personu tiesisko attiecību problemātika ārstniecības procesā: promocijas darbs: apakšnozare – civiltiesības. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte. https://doi.org/10.25143/prom-rsu_2020-01_pd