Offering Information
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Course Team
Lynda Crowley-Cyr
Summary
Health law represents a body of law that regulates health care and health related activities. This is a dynamic skills-based course that builds on earlier law courses like torts, criminal law and contract law. The primary objective of this course is the development of future legal professionals who can effectively… For more content click the Read More button below.
SynopsisContemporary developments in health knowledge and care have captured the attention and imagination of most Australians. More headlines appear to be devoted to health in the popular media than any other single area. Increased public awareness has also occurred in terms of the legal rights of those who access the health care system and the responsibility of health professions. Health law has become a distinct and important area of legal practice both internationally and locally. It is a dynamic, interdisciplinary expanding field recognised by universities as a distinct area of study and research. The study of health law requires an open mindedness and professional attitude because of the sometimes deeply controversial and emotional nature of the topics covered. Everyone has views about the role of the law in terms of regulating health care because we are all the potentially affected. As such, this course encourages students to research, critically analyse and appreciate the often contradictory perspectives that emerge from the topics. Students will learn how to problem solve in an area that is vulnerable to sometimes unsatisfactory resolutions.
Requisites
Course Pre-requisites
Course Pre-requisites
Other Requisites or Enrolment Rules
Other
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding [explain and apply] of a complex body of knowledge [relevant to health law], and underlying principles and concepts; and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise [in this area] (PLO1/ TLO1).
2.
Demonstrate an advanced and integrated ability to recognise and reflect upon (and a developing ability to respond to) ethical issues likely to arise in [the context of health law], and a developing ability to exercise professional judgement (PLO2/ TLO2).
3.
Identify and articulate complex legal issues [relevant to health law]; [comprehend legal and other materials]; apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal issues; engage in critical analysis and make a reasoned choice amongst alternatives; and think creatively in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses (PO3/ TLO3).
4.
Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical proposition, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions relating to health law, as well as to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues (PO4/ TLO4).
5.
Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences (PO5/ TLO5).
Topics
1. Legal framework of health care and the ethics of health care
2. Privacy and health information
3. Consent to medical treatment
4. Medical negligence and the concept of harm
5. Reproduction (pre-conception, conception and birth)
6. The ending of life
Assessments
Assessment due dates (as listed in Week Due) are indicative until finalised by the end of Week 1 for each Study Period (Offering). After Week 1, Assessment due dates may change with the approval of the Dean (Academic) or Delegate in limited circumstances. All Assessment due date changes approved after Week 1 will be communicated to students accordingly via Handbook and StudyDesk.