Health Information students test knowledge in mock trial

This summer, several students in OHP's Health Information Technology program presented a mock trial on the topic of "Feeding Tubes and Family Issues". The mock trial was proposed by the students as part of their requirements for the Medical Law and Ethics course.Students Cindy Schneider, Sandy Henson, and Myra Ross proposed the idea for the mock trial to their instructor Tanya Knief and included members from the community in their presentation, including Ed Dougherty, a local attorney, who took on the responsibility of playing judge."Our topic of pulling the feeding tube with family issues covers the legal consequences, medical ethics, and religious and moral value issues," said the three students. "We are hoping to bring to everyone's attention the importance of having your wishes, at any age, known to your loved ones, your friends, clergy, lawyer, and physician.""As we enter the medical workforce in all kinds of healthcare settings, we will undoubtedly run into some problems of this type," offered the students. "By having the correct paperwork readily available to healthcare workers, there would be no doubt as to what a patient's wishes are, and it would also allow us as healthcare workers to show our compassion to the patient and family members."