This course is an introduction to the characteristics of a Successful Health Care Business and Ethical Management of a Thriving Health Care Practice.  The steps in starting a new Health Care enterprise will be emphasized, including early research techniques, writing a business plan, and the factors that can lead to continued success of the health care entrepreneur.  Ethical implications of sales and service issues related to marketing, professional conduct, office protocol and personnel procedures will be addressed.

This course introduces new students to concepts and issues pertaining to professionalism.  Discussion focuses on what it means to be a professional, and on ways that students can begin to grow in terms of displaying the qualities and behavior expected of a professional.

Purpose of the Course
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to open and manage a practice, to understand legal and ethical considerations, and to become familiar with the laws governing acupuncture. 

Course Objectives
This course is designed to train students in the following:

• Confidentiality
• Informed Consent
• Scope of Practice
• Record Keeping: Legal Requirement, Release of Data
• Ethical and Legal Aspects of Referring Patients to Another Practitioner
• Professional Conduct and Appropriate Interpersonal Behavior
• Overview of the Status of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in the US
• Laws and Regulations Governing the Practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Hawai'i and the Laws and Regulations Vary from State to State
• Recognition and Clarification of Patient Expectations
• General Liability Insurance and Legal Requirements
• Professional Liability Insurance: Risk Management and Quality Assurance
• Building and Managing a Practice Including Ethical and Legal Aspects of Third Party Reimbursement
• Professional Development
• Basic Bookkeeping

Ethics and Practice Management Competencies
Through this course students will acquire professional competency in:

I.          Explaining the Entrepreneurial Process Involved in Setting Up Their Practice

• Present methods of generating business ideas and using creative problem solving
• Produce a business plan
• Find sources of financing
• Present ways of managing the growth and expansion of a new venture
• Explain how successful start-up firms have transitioned into industry leaders

II.        Complying with Practices as Established by the Profession and Society at Large

• Explain the ethical considerations regarding Health Care practice
• Application of a code of ethics and practice of responsible record keeping and patient confidentiality
• Maintenance of professional development through continuing education and maintenance of personal development by continued cultivation of compassion
• Practice of responsible record keeping and patient confidentiality