Medical law is the law governing the entire healthcare system. It deals with the diverse and socially significant issues that comprehensive and adequate healthcare for the population poses for the law. These issues include traditional topics such as the doctor-patient relationship with its defining individuality, questions of protecting life at the beginning and end of human existence, the professional, ethical, and liability framework for the provision of healthcare services, and the law governing the various remuneration and care models in the healthcare system.
In addition, constant progress in “modern medicine” with its innovative diagnostic and treatment procedures presents the law with the challenge of creating a framework for new areas such as human genetics, individualized medicine, modern reproductive procedures, innovative drugs, and medical devices. In doing so, it must take an interdisciplinary approach and keep an eye on the affordability of healthcare services as well as ethical requirements and social phenomena such as the shortage of doctors and nurses, the aging of society in rural areas, and the population's desire for self-determined lifestyles.
Current developments such as the expansion of e-health and e-care applications also present new challenges for medical law.
In the field of health care law, Prof. Dr. Erik Hahn addresses these issues from a legal perspective, focusing on intensive exchange with practitioners.
The department's services include legal opinions and statements, the organization of events, the preparation of publications, and the provision of courses and continuing education programs.
