The teaching of Medical Law in Brasil

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To provide a brief overview of the teaching of medical law in Brazilian law schools, proposing a syllabus if needed. METHODS: Survey the curricula of the best-ranked Law Schools in the country and reference Law Schools in the USA and Europe. Analyze the disciplines offered and their relation to the actual demands of the industry. RESULTS: The offer of medical law disciplines in Brasil is very scarce and concentrated in one city (São Paulo). Most of the few existing disciplines focus on bioethical issues rather than law and lawsuits. CONCLUSION: There is a need to reformulate the teaching of medical law in Brasil by including new disciplines and broadening the subjects approached.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Apresentar um breve panorama da situação do ensino do direito médico nas faculdades de direito brasileiras, com a proposta de uma matriz curricular, se necessário. MÉTODO: Levantamento dos currículos das Faculdades de Direito mais bem classificadas do país e das Faculdades de Direito de referência nos EUA e Europa. Análise das disciplinas oferecidas e sua relação com as reais demandas da área. RESULTADOS: A oferta de disciplinas de direito médico no Brasil é muito escassa e concentrada em uma cidade (São Paulo). A maioria das poucas disciplinas existentes enfoca questões bioéticas, em vez de leis e ações judiciais. CONCLUSÃO: há necessidade de reformulação do ensino do direito médico no Brasil, com inclusão de novas disciplinas e ampliação das disciplinas abordadas.

The need to standardize use of the newly deceased in medical trainings

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify the characteristics of use of the deceased in invasive training and the bioethical principles that govern this practice. In this context, it has become imperative to deduce which professional skills are critical to develop. METHODS: A prospective study investigated a cadaver's use in medical (and related) schools through a questionnaire, which was made available for 48 hours on social networks (Facebook and LinkedIn) to groups of doctors and medical students using a communication app (WhatsApp). The inclusion criteria were being a medical student or a doctor. Cases in which the answers to the questionnaire were inadequate, or when the student had reason to withdraw, were excluded. Each participant could only answer the questionnaire once, and could not modify the responses after submitting it. RESULTS: A disproportionate relationship was found regarding the replacement of the newly deceased by other means (such as dummies and simulators). This outcome suggests that there is no substitution, concomitant with the importance of a prior request for consent from the patient and/or subsequent consent from family members. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, the significance of—and need for—training is undeniable. Hence, it is urgent to normalize the practice and definition of the ethical limitations of medical conduct.