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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Health and Human Sciences

Unit aim

Examines the complex interrelationship between health law and ethics.  Students are introduced to the Australian legal system and the legal processes, principles, legislation and actions that impact on health care professionals and health care institutions. In addition, emerging issues and trends in health law and ethics will be explored.

Unit content

Topic 1 Introduction to applied ethics

Topic 2 Introduction to legal processes and health law

Topic 3 Human rights, law and bioethics

Topic 4 Consent and confidentiality

Topic 5 Legal and ethical issues during the lifecycle

Topic 6 Professional practice and responsibilities

Topic 7 Mapping the issues in public health law and ethics

Topic 8 Future challenges in public health law and ethics

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 critically discuss the role of government in public health law and practice Intellectual rigour
2 examine cultural perspectives on health and ethics Intellectual rigour Ethical practice Cultural competence
3 identify, discuss and apply appropriate legal and ethical principles to specific situations in health care services and professional practice in maintaining quality and safety of individuals Intellectual rigour Ethical practice
4 critically discuss emerging challenges and issues in ethics, health law, and public health care Ethical practice
5 identify the ethical standards and ethical competencies expected of a health professional Intellectual rigour Ethical practice

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. critically discuss the role of government in public health law and practice
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
  2. examine cultural perspectives on health and ethics
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  3. identify, discuss and apply appropriate legal and ethical principles to specific situations in health care services and professional practice in maintaining quality and safety of individuals
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  4. critically discuss emerging challenges and issues in ethics, health law, and public health care
    • GA3: Ethical practice
  5. identify the ethical standards and ethical competencies expected of a health professional
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA3: Ethical practice