Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Forensic and Legal Medicine
Teaching staff
Students may ask lecturers questions at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:
Dra. Esperanza Gómez Durán elgomez@uic.es
Dr. Carles Martín Fumadó: cmartin@uic.es
Introduction
The subject of Legal and Forensic Medicine encompasses, on the one hand, the body of legal knowledge required for the professional practice of medicine, regardless of the medical specialty in which one works. This knowledge concerns the way in which our daily clinical practice must comply with the legal regulations in force at any given time. This course will provide you with the essential foundations for safe professional practice, both by ensuring respect for patients' rights and duties and by promoting the legal certainty that should accompany all physicians in the exercise of their profession (medical law, medico-legal documentation, professional liability, legal psychiatry, domestic violence, occupational medicine, among others).
On the other hand, this subject also addresses the interactions that commonly occur between the fields of Law (particularly within the judicial system) and Medicine, highlighting the forensic advisory and expert roles that physicians can provide in these areas (thanatology, forensic pathology, criminalistics, forensic psychiatry, forensic toxicology, personal injury assessment, and forensic gynecology and obstetrics, among others).
Objectives
1. To learn about both scientific and social importance of Legal and Forensic Medicine.
2. Provide medical and legal knowledge essential to the practice of medicine and the practical skills to practice according to them.
3. Introduce students to the basic concepts and contents of Forensic Medicine.
4. Encourage critical thinking and analytical skills in theoretical and practical problems of Legal and Forensic Medicine.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - Recognise the essential elements of the medical profession, including ethical principles, legal responsibilities and patient-centered professional skills.
- 02 - Understand the importance of central principles, in particular of professional confidentiality for the benefit of patients, society and the profession.
- 03 - Know how to apply the principle of social justice to professional practice and understand the ethical implications of health in a changing global context.
- 04 - Develop professional practice with respect for patient autonomy, beliefs and culture.
- 06 - Develop professional practice with other health professionals, acquiring teamwork skills.
- 07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
- 08 - Recognize the basis of normal human behavior and its disorders.
- 09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
- 10 - To understand and recognise the agents and risk factors which determine health status, and learn how they determine the symptoms and natural development of acute or chronic diseases in individuals and populations.
- 11 - Understand and recognize the effects of growth, development and aging on the individual and their social environment.
- 12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
- 13 - Obtain and develop a clinical history that contains all relevant information.
- 14 - Perform a physical examination and a mental assessment.
- 15 - Ability to formulate an initial diagnosis and establish a rationalised diagnostic strategy.
- 16 - Recognize and deal with situations that put life in immediate danger and those that require immediate attention.
- 17 - Establish the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, applying principles based on the best information possible and safe clinical practice..
- 22 - To write and maintain medical records and other medical documents which can be understood by third parties and are adapted to the protocols and information that is required.
- 23 - Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing with patients, family members, media and other professionals.
- 25 - Recognize the determinants of public health; genetic and sex-dependent lifestyle, demographic, environmental, social, economic, psychological and cultural determinants.
- 26 - Assume role in the prevention and protection from diseases, injuries or accidents and maintenance and promotion of health, both individual and at the community level.
- 27 - Recognize role in multidisciplinary teams, assuming leadership when appropriate, for the delivery of health care, such as interventions for health promotion.
- 29 - Understand national and international health organisations, and the environments and conditions of the different health care systems.
- 30 - To acquire basic knowledge of the National Healthcare System and general healthcare legislation.
- 31 - Understand, critically evaluate and know how to use sources of clinical and biomedical information to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health care information.
- 36 - Be able to formulate hypotheses, collect and critically evaluate information for problem solving using the scientific method.
- CB-3 - To know how to evaluate and select the appropriate scientific theories and precise methodologies required by their field of study to make judgements based on incomplete or limited information. Where necessary and appropriate, this includes a reflection on the ethical and social responsibility linked to the solution suggested in each case.
- CB-7 - To be able to take responsibility for their own professional development and specialisation in one or more fields of study.
- CTS-1 - To know the principles of leadership and decision making in ordinary situations or in conflicts with and between various ethical, legal and professional elements.
- CTS-3 - To promote and ensure respect for human rights and the principles of universal accessibility, equality, non-discrimination as well as the values of democracy and a culture of peace.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student has acquired the basic knowledge about the practice of forensic medicine and its interaction with the medical health care.
The student has acquired the knowledge to ensure respect for the legislative framework in the exercise of the medical profession.
The student has acquired the basic legal knowledge to the most basic performance in the Justice System.
The students manages correctly the medico-legal issues involved in problem-solving tasks.
Syllabus
- By subjects
- See Moodle
Teaching and learning activities
In person
1. Lectures.
2. Case method.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Assessment, Academic Integrity, and Examination Conduct Policy
- Applicable to any assessable activity.
- Conduct contrary to academic integrity, including the use of electronic devices, recording, the use of AI, etc.
Conduct that violates academic integrity may result in the annulment of the assessment, a failing grade for the activity or the course, and the loss of the right to retake the assessment. In addition, such conduct may lead to the initiation of the corresponding disciplinary proceedings. The conduct covered by this policy will be sanctioned in accordance with the current regulations on student conduct and disciplinary procedures of the International University of Catalonia.
Aquí tens la traducció al text en anglès:
There is no midterm exam.
The final theoretical exam consists of a multiple-choice exam formatted like the MIR exam.
Continuous assessment depends on the tests conducted in class and the assignments given after the sessions.
The participation and professionalism grade depends on the criteria of the professor in charge of the subject, based on active participation in class.
The final grade for the subject is the result of continuous assessment (15% of the final grade), the participation and professionalism grade (5% of the final grade), and the final theoretical exam (80% of the final grade).
Additionally, this year an extra 1 point toward the final grade will be awarded to the top three students in the forensic pathology simulation competition. That is to say, it is possible to obtain a grade of 11/10 in the subject. The competition guidelines are available below.
To pass the subject, it is necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 5/10 on the final theoretical exam. Once that 5/10 is achieved, the corresponding scores for continuous assessment, participation and professionalism, and, if applicable, the competition will be added.
Honors (Matrículas de honor) will be reserved for the highest overall grades (exam, continuous assessment, participation, and competition) obtained during the first exam period (primera convocatoria).
Second exam period (Segunda convocatoria): The scores for continuous assessment and the competition are retained, but the score for participation and professionalism is forfeited (therefore, the maximum possible grade will be 9.5/10, plus 1 additional point, if applicable). Honors (Matrícula de honor) cannot be awarded in the second exam period.
Bibliography and resources
This is material for consultation (material of study will be available at Moodle)
- GENERAL
GISBERT-CALABUIG: Medicina Legal y Toxicología. Masson, 2004, 6ª edición.
CASAS: Manual de Medicina Legal y Forense. Colex, 2000.
- PATOLOGÍA FORENSE:
KNIGTH: Forensic Pathology. Arnold, 2004, 3ª Edición.
SPITZ: Medicolegal Investigation Of Death: Guidelines For The Application Of Pathology To Crime Investigation. Charles C. Thomas, 2006, 4ª edición.
DI MAIO: Manual de patología forense. Díaz de Santos, 2003.
- CLÍNICA FORENSE, VALORACIÖN DEL DAÑO CORPORAL Y MEDICINA PROFESIONAL Y DE LOS SEGUROS:
GIL HERNÁNDEZ: Tratado de Medicina del Trabajo. Masson, 2005.
BOROBIA: Valoración del daño corporal. Legislación, metodología y prueba pericial médica. Masson, 2006.
- PSIQUIATRIA FORENSE
ORTEGA-MONASTERIO L Y GÓMEZ-DURÁN E.L. CAP. 39. PSIQUIATRÍA LEGAL Y JURÍDICA EN VALLEJO RUILOBA. iNTRODUCCIÓN A LA PSIQUIATRÍA Y PSICOPATOLOGÍA. 7ª o 8ª edició