Education
The
Division of Medical Humanities, Health Law, and Ethics has a long tradition
of educating public health, medical, and dental students. Listed below are the courses offered by faculty members in the Graduate
School and Schools of Medicine and Dental
Medicine. In addition, members of the Division coordinate
two lecture series which are open to the Health Center community and the
general public.
Courses In the Graduate School - Public Health Program
Several courses are currently offered to students in the Graduate Program in Public Health by faculty and affiliated faculty in the division. Currently, plans are in development to establish a MPH concentration in public health law.
Law and Public Health (PUBH 406)
An introduction to the American legal system as it relates to health care
and public health. Sessions present important applications of law to health
including the powers of state governments, public health at the federal level,
hospital, physician and HMO liability, emergency care and medical research,
mental health law, reproductive health and the right to privacy, the right
to refuse treatment and end of life issues, privacy and confidentiality in
health care, infectious disease law and disability discrimination, and public
health policy and advocacy. 3 credits. Barbara Blechner, M.Ed., JD or Zita
Lazzarini, JD, MPH (Fall)
Seminar in Health Regulation (PUBH 412)
Focus is on the relationship between law and health care. Regulation of practice,
practitioners and facilities. Legal aspects of alternative delivery systems
including managed care. Legal and ethical dimensions of the health care provider-client
relationship also are addressed. 3 credits. Hillary Fisher Nelson, J.D., M.A.
(Spring alternative years)
Law, Health Care and Policy (PUBH 413)
Role of law in the regulation of the health care process and in the development
of public policy in health care. In addition to examining regulation of health
care personnel, facilities, expenditures and planning, a series of contemporary
public policy issues in health care are addressed. 3 credits. Barbara Blechner,
M.Ed., JD (Spring alternative years)
History of Public Health (PUBH 460)
An elective examining the development and fundamental historical themes of
public health, from ancient civilizations to the present, with emphasis on
public health history of the United States and its relevance to current public
health issues. The development of local, state and national public health
agencies in the U. S. is highlighted. The history of specific disease entities
are discussed to illustrate major themes. 3 credits. Joan Segal, M.S.
Health Care Law & Ethics (PUBH 461)
An analysis and evaluation of the legal rights of patients and providers in
the health care process. Specific topics may include: nature of rights, consent
to treatment, contraception, abortion, sterilization, involuntary commitment
and allocation of limited medical resources. 3 credits. Nancy Williams, R.N.,
J.D., LL.M. and Barbara Blechner, J.D., M.Ed. (Fall alternative years)
Human Rights and Health (PUBH 497)
This course will introduce students to human rights as a discipline relevant
to public health work. First, the course will provide knowledge of the history,
evolution, and structure of the current human rights system system as well
as an introduction to the basic norms, international instruments and important
organizations. Second, the course will explore the interrelationship between
health and human rights. The next sessions will examine closely the health
implications of selected "civil and political rights" and "economic social
and cultural rights" as well as recent work to define "the right to health."
The course will divide the remaining time into sections examining the use
of public health knowledge and expertise with human rights work to improve
health. 3 credits. Zita Lazzarini, JD, MPH. Spring alternative years.
Health Policy and Legislative Development (PUBH 497)
The development of health policy and the practice of health law, whether in
the public or private sector, must be linked with changes in approaches to
legislating and regulating aspects of the health care system. Current controversial
policy and regulatory issues will be examined through contemporary readings.
Important electronic and print research skills will be introduced and developed
during the course. 3 credits. Christie L. Hager, JD, MPH. Spring alternative
years.
Mental Health Law and Ethics (PUBH 497)
Course is currently in development. 3 credits. David Mack, JD, MPH. Tentatively
scheduled for Spring 2005.
Courses in the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine
A number of courses are offered to undergraduate medical and dental students to increase the awareness and appreciation of art, poetry, literature, philosophy, and bioethics and to enhance clinical and socio-behavioral educational experiences. The following is a list of required and elective courses offered at the UConn Health Center in the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine.
Health Law and Ethics (HLE)
As part of the second-year required course, Human Development and Health (HDH), medical and dental students are exposed to the
intersection of medicine and law in clinical practice and the legal and ethical aspects of health care. 5 credits for HDH. Zita Lazzarini, J.D., M.P.H. (Community
Medicine).
History of Medicine
An elective course offered in the fall to medical students focusing on the history of medicine. The course examines medicine's historical context and the cultural and social settings in which medical developments have taken place. 4 credits. Ralph Arcari, Ph.D. (Community Medicine)
Medicine and Art
A new elective offered to first- and second-year students that brings students out of labs and classrooms into the New Britain Museum of Art where they work with museum volunteers to hone their skills of observation and decision making and help to develop an appreciation for the humanities by looking at art. 4 credits. Charles Leach, Jr. M.D. (Medicine)
Medicine and Literature Elective
This elective course provides an opportunity for first- or second-year medical students to read, discuss, and interpret the fictional and non-fictional writings of physician-scientists. Students will engage in the process of reading and writing, broaden their education into the humanities of health care, and explore issues at the core of caring for people. 4 credits. Richard Zeff, Ph.D. (Pathology)
Poetry and Medicine
Poetry and Medicine is a second-year elective course that focuses on the reading, writing and discussion of poetry with medical themes. Students will gain an appreciation of poetry as an instrument for expressing the many emotions inherent in the practice of medicine, from the viewpoint of the patient, patient's family, physician and other health care professionals. 4 credits. Catherine Weber, Ph.D. (Family Medicine).
Ethical Issues in Medicine
An Ethics Committee Practicum: Ethical Issues in Medicine is an elective course
offered to first or second year medical students. Students will define important
ethical principles and related these to controversial ethical cases and issues,
indentify and describe the purpose of an Ethics Committee, examine the methods
utilized to come to consensus about controversial ethical issues, analyze
and discuss current controversial cases, and evaluate the risks and benefits
of ethical issues. 5 credits. Barbara Blechner, M.Ed., J.D. (Community Medicine),
Nancy Adams, M.D. (Neurology) and Zita Lazzarini, J.D., M.P.H. (Community
Medicine).
Lectures/Seminars for Health Professionals
During the academic year, two lecture series are offered regularly which have a Medical Humanities, Health Law, or Ethics emphasis that are available to students, faculty, health practitioners and the general public.
Community Medicine Seminar Series
The Division of Medical Humanities, Health Law, and Ethics administers the
Department of Community Medicine's monthly seminar series. Seminars are
held during the academic year and are free to the UConn Health Center community
and general public. Topics covered include those in the fields of public
health,
medicine, health law, ethics, and the humanities. Coordinator: Zita Lazzarini,
J.D., M.P.H. Schedule of
Seminar Series Sessions
Robert U. Massey History of Medicine Society
An association of individuals interested in presentations and discussions on the history of medicine named in honor of Professor Emeritus of Community Medicine and former dean of the School of Medicine for 14 years, Robert U. Massey, MD. The society meets monthly from October to April for presentations. Coordinator: Ralph Arcari, Ph.D. Schedule of Presentations
Updated: November 14, 2003