HME711 - Health Law and Ethics
Unit details
| Year: | 2022 unit information |
|---|---|
| Important Update: | Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates. Last updated: 4 March 2022 |
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Online Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Jacqueline Savard Trimester 3: Cynthia Forlini |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1-2 online modules per week, 10 interactive online workbooks, and 3 scheduled online consultations. |
| Scheduled learning activities - cloud: | 1-2 online modules per week, 10 interactive online workbooks, and 3 scheduled online consultations. |
| In-person attendance requirements: | Independent and collaborative learning activities include 3 scheduled consultations throughout trimester conducted either on campus or online, as appropriate |
Content
The unit aims to equip students with the skills to manage ethical and legal issues that may arise in the context of health service delivery in Australia. It presents an overview of current legislation governing Australia’s multifaceted healthcare system and of contemporary ethical issues in health service delivery. Students in the Unit will examine the application of legal and ethical principles in the context of operational decisions in healthcare.
Students will be introduced to the underlying concepts, values, and principles of health law and ethics, and learn to apply these in the analysis of issues and in the resolution of dilemmas in professional decision-making and policy-making. Topics covered will include ethical theory and Australian health law; confidentiality, privacy and consent; justice in resource allocation; professional issues such as conflicts of interest, competency, and reporting obligations; complaints, negligence, and liability; management of novel or emerging ethicolegal issues; professional boards and ethical governance mechanisms.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe key features of the Australian legal system pertinent to health service delivery. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Explain fundamental concepts and principles of health law and ethics and provide examples of their application in a health care setting. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Critically evaluate professional ethicolegal concerns that may arise during health service delivery. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Critically analyse major ethicolegal issues in health service delivery with reference to relevant Australian laws and ethical governance tools. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Formulate well justified recommendations for the management of ethicolegal dilemmas in health service delivery. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Identify and evaluate legislation and case law relevant to health service delivery. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
Trimester 2:| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Short online quizzes | 3 quizzes, approximately 400 words each quiz | 30% |
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| Assessment 2: Case analysis | 1200 words | 25% |
|
| Assessment 3: Analysis of an ethicolegal issue in health service delivery | 2250 words | 45% |
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The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HME711 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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