Course Content

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the principles and practices of medical professional legal consulting (MPLC), with an emphasis on law and expert witness testimony. Professionals in various healthcare disciplines (Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, Chiropractors, Paramedics, Dentists, Optometrists, etc.) may gain increased skills and knowledge of the medical-legal system to enhance their roles as service providers and expert witnesses. Successful graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Course Completion from the university through which they are registered.

Course Objectives

• Define the role of a medical professional legal consultant and explain the history and evolution from legal nurse consulting into its own profession.
• Describe two major systems of law, the three types of law, and the four sources of law.
• Review the law of Intentional and Unintentional Torts.
• Identify liability concerns of healthcare providers.
• Analyze the role of the MPLC before the trial begins.
• Review methods of obtaining medical records and other evidence governed by the Rules of Evidence.
• Identify and review the legal documents used to obtain evidence.
• Explain informed consent, treatment decisions, and review the liability concerns of healthcare providers.
• Discuss criminal law and complex litigation scenarios.
• Discuss the skills needed for entry into special practice.
• Professionalism and Ethics: Discuss the standards of practice and performance expected of an MPLC.
• Identify the five responsibilities of an MPLC in the litigation process.
• Examine the role of the MPLC in evaluating Toxic Tort and Criminal Cases.
• The damages stage of litigation: Identify the four types of damages available and discuss the factors that determine their application to the case.
• Recall the evaluation steps taken by the MPLC in a professional negligence case.
• Identify and discuss the three different forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Discuss the MPLC’s role in law firms.
• Discuss the issues presented to MPLCs in the insurance industry.
• Discuss the issues presented to MPLCs in private practice areas.
• Discuss the issues presented to MPLCs in Government Service.
• Discuss the issues presented to MPLCs in Risk Management.
• Medical record analysis: Discuss the protocol MPLCs should follow when receiving medical records.
• Legal Writing: Review writing techniques that will captivate your target audience.
• Discuss the literature research process and methods of research.
• Discuss the advantages and challenges of working as an independent MPLC.

Course Goals

• Increase knowledge of legal terminology, medical malpractice, and the evolving legal system.
• Demonstrate the professional skills necessary to enhance your medical-legal consulting role.
• Identify new arenas for expanding your interests and skills for professional mobility and growth.
• Consider working as a full-time, part-time, or freelance medical professional legal consultant.

This program has not yet been approved for CME credit. Program organizers have applied for 45 AAPA Category 1 CME credits from the AAPA Review Panel. The total number of approved credits is yet to be determined.

As a skilled medical professional, you have the knowledge and expertise to assess whether the appropriate standard of medical care has been delivered. Take the next step to learn legal concepts related to the healthcare industry and the role a legal consultant might play in litigation areas such as:
• Medical malpractice
• Toxic torts
• Product liability
• Personal injury
• Wrongful death
• Criminal law
• Workers’ compensation

Expanding Professional Roles

The healthcare system has experienced an increase in the number of lawsuits, prompting medical professionals to expand their roles within the legal system to educate attorneys, judges, and juries. Medical professionals have the knowledge, competency, credentials, and expertise to judge whether the appropriate standard of medical care has been delivered. They are consulting on a range of medical-legal concerns, including:

The innovative Medical Professional Legal Consultant profession utilizes the existing medical education and clinical experience of medical professionals and hones their valuable skills for the legal field. A career as a Medical Professional Legal Consultant is your opportunity to work in a variety of industries and increase your earning potential.

Who Can Benefit?

Any medical professional interested in entering the legal field can benefit from the education provided by our Medical Professional Legal Consultant Course. The course is also open to anyone interested in the field of forensic testimony and medical-legal issues. This program is designed for:

This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of about 12 hours per week reading and completing assignments. Extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is equivalent to 45 clock hours of study. A minimum passing score of 70% is required on all tests and assignments.

Your grade will be based on the completion of six tests and six Bulletin Board Submissions. Here's the breakdown:

Exams: Six exams, each worth 100 points, comprising 70% of your grade.
Bulletin Board Assignments:
Six assignments, each worth 10 points, comprising 30% of your grade.
Students must receive a 70% or better on every assignment to receive a certificate.

Required textbooks for this course:
Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles and Practices, 4th edition, edited by Julie Dickinson and Anne Meyer (2020). New York: CRC Press.
Highly recommended legal resources:
Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition, West Academic.

Guidelines
• The loan amount must be at least $500.00.
• The loan amount in the application cannot exceed the enrollment fee noted on our website.
• Books will NOT be included in the loan amount.
• Service charges may apply.
• When applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan, please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599.

Lender Information
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley does not endorse or recommend any specific lenders for private loans. You are free to select any lender offering private loans. We recommend you compare loans from several vendors to find the best interest rates/terms and repayment options.
• When exploring loan options, please ensure the lender offers loans for non-credit continuing education programs.
• Our department has identified that Sallie Mae offers private loans that may be used for continuing education programs. This is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement.

Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.