AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learn the basic notions inherent to the constitutional, legislative and administrative protection of health as a fundamental right of the person and interest of the community. Know the principles and rules that govern the National Health Service, the relationships of competence between the State and the regions and the related organizational profiles

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who regularly attend and actively participate in the learning activities, together with thorough individual study, will achieve the following learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors):

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the module, students will have acquired knowledge of the constitutional principles governing the protection of health, the main national, European and international sources of health law, the organization of the Italian National Health Service, and the legal foundations of the right to health, with particular reference to informed consent, advance healthcare directives (DAT), compulsory health treatment (TSO), Essential Levels of Care (LEA), and the principle of appropriateness of care.

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the module, students will be able to identify and interpret the main legal sources relevant to healthcare, analyse the relationships among the institutional actors involved in the health sector, and apply the fundamental principles of health law to issues related to the organization and delivery of healthcare services.

Making judgements

By the end of the module, students will be able to critically assess issues concerning the protection of the right to health, patient autonomy and self-determination, and access to healthcare services, in light of constitutional principles and the applicable legal framework.

Communication skills

By the end of the module, students will be able to use basic legal terminology appropriately and to clearly explain the main concepts and principles of health law.

Learning skills

By the end of the module, students will be able to independently identify and use the main legal sources in the field of healthcare and to update their knowledge in response to developments in health legislation and healthcare policies.

TEACHING METHODS

The course provides for 16 class-hours, during which the main theoretical notions of health law will be addressed and the most important legal acts and judgments (Italian Courts and Constitutional Court) will be analyzed. 

Lectures are in presence. 

The professor will upload on Aulaweb the useful materials for lessons and for individual study (summary schemes, regulatory acts, documents, judgments). 

Students with certification of DSA, disability and/or other special educational needs are recommended to contact both the referent for disability Prof. Nicola Girtler (nicolagirtler@unige.it) and the professor of the teaching at the beginning of the course, to agree on teaching and examination methods which, in compliance with the objectives of the course, will consider individual learning modalities and provide suitable compensatory instruments.

For further information please visit the Unige website at  https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilità-informazioni-utili

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching program includes the study of the following topics: 

Introduction to the Italian system of sources of law, also in relation to international and European Union law;
the right to health and its protection according to the Constitution and other sources of health law;
the Constitutional jurisprudence on the right to health; 
compensation for damage to health (biological damage); 
the regional organization of the National Health Service; 
freedom of care and informed consent; 
end of life and advanced declarations of treatment; 
health as a financially conditioned social right; 
essential levels of care (LEA); 
the appropriateness of health practices and trials;
hospital and territorial care.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The professor will communicate the texts on which to prepare the exam on the first day of class.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lectures of the a.y. 2026-27 will be held in the second semester.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is written and is structured as follows: 

6 multiple choice quiz questions (1 right answer and 2 wrong) which gives 3/30 points per question up to a maximum of 18/30;

1 open-ended question (essays style) which gives up to a maximum of 12/30.

For those who do not reach at least 18/30 points the exam is insufficient and must be repeated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination is designed to assess the achievement of the intended learning outcomes with reference to the Dublin Descriptors.

In particular, the following will be evaluated:

• knowledge of the constitutional principles governing the protection of health, the main sources of health law, the organization of the Italian National Health Service, and the fundamental legal concepts covered in the module (knowledge and understanding);
• the ability to develop critical assessments of issues relating to the protection of the right to health, patient self-determination, and access to healthcare services (making judgements);
• clarity of presentation, the appropriate use of legal terminology, and the ability to construct coherent and well-organized arguments (communication skills).

Particular consideration will be given to the order, completeness, and coherence of the answers, the ability to relate the topics covered in the module to practical cases and current issues, and the reference to particularly relevant legal sources and judicial decisions.

For the overall assessment, active participation in the proposed learning activities may also be taken into account.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students are invited to enroll in the Aulaweb webpage.

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected.