THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCE STUDENT

• DOI: 10.37572/EdArt_28112437613

• Palavras-chave: Student, Legal Responsibility, Malpractice, Intern, Medical Error

• Keywords: Student, Legal Responsibility, Malpractice, Intern, Medical Error

• Abstract:

  Introduction: The involvement of health career students in medical practice is pivotal within the dynamics of healthcare services; however, their increasingly active and less supervised participation has led to a rise in legal proceedings, implicating them as directly or jointly responsible for patient harm. Problem Statement: This study aims to determine the legal responsibility of students within medical practice and to examine the regulations that protect their interventions. Objective: This qualitative research, employing a descriptive narrative design, analyzed a court case involving a nursing student in Chile. The discussion was framed around the current legal regulations in Ecuador, particularly concerning the Rotating Internship program. Methodology and Results: The findings indicate that the legal framework governing teaching care practice is insufficient to adequately measure the legal responsibility of health sciences students when faced with charges of medical negligence. The study underscores the necessity for a more robust legal framework to protect both patients and students. It highlights the critical need for enhanced supervision and clearer guidelines to ensure that students can learn and practice safely without the looming threat of legal repercussions. Conclusions: This research calls for a balanced approach that safeguards the educational process while maintaining high standards of patient care.