Readiness for Legally Literate Medical Practice? Student Perceptions of Their Undergraduate Medico-Legal Education
Creator
Preston-Shoot, Michael
McKimm, Judy
Kong, Wing May
Smith, Sue
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of medical ethics 2011 Oct; 37(10): 616-22
Abstract
Medical councils increasingly require graduates to understand law and to practise medicine mindful of the legal rules. In the UK a revised curriculum for medical law and ethics has been published. However, coverage of law in medical education remains variable and doubts exist about how far students acquire legal knowledge and skills in its implementation. This survey of students in two UK medical schools measured their law learning and their confidence in using this knowledge. Concept maps and a self-audit questionnaire were used to capture students' understanding and perceptions of this knowledge domain and self-assessments of their legal knowledge and skills. A large sample was achieved across first, second and final year students. Students agree that a sound understanding of law is essential to being a good doctor. Their perceptions of law are generally positive but the interface between the legal rules and codes of medical ethics creates difficulty. In some areas students offer relatively confident self-assessments of their legal knowledge and skills for practising law. However, levels of confidence in other areas of their law learning raise doubts about the degree to which they can advocate for and protect their patients. Conclusions are drawn about the effectiveness of students' law learning and recommendations made for further research.
Date
2011-10Collections
Metadata
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Towards Effective Outcomes in Teaching, Learning and Assessment of Law in Medical Education
Preston-Shoot, Michael; McKimm, Judy (2011-04)Law is slowly emerging as a core subject area in medical education, alongside content on the ethical responsibilities of doctors to protect and promote patient health and well-being. Curriculum statements have begun to ...