Law for Health Care Professionals

Subject 732-721 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations: For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Be able to think about, discuss and reflect on the professional obligations of a health care practitioner
  • Understand how principles of civil liability apply to the practice of health care
  • Understand how principles of criminal liability apply to the practice of health care
  • Be able to reflect upon how the practice environment may impact upon the liability of a health care provider
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the connection between the legal obligations and ethical responsibilities of a health practitioner
  • Apply knowledge of a health care practitioner’s legal obligations to ensure better patient/client outcomes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Structure of the health care profession
  • Professional regulation: Admission to practice
  • Professional regulation: Conduct
  • Civil liability:
    • Negligence
    • Legislation
  • Fiduciary duties of the health care practitioner
  • Criminal liability
  • Liability and professional indemnity insurance
  • Dealing with complaints
  • Identifying high-risk practice areas
  • Liability and practice: Private practitioners, employees and health care organisations
  • Identifying whether the law that applies to health care professionals may need reform.
Assessment:
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (1 October) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 732-721Law for Health Care ProfessionalsMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2009P

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Be able to think about, discuss and reflect on the professional obligations of a health care practitioner
  • Understand how principles of civil liability apply to the practice of health care
  • Understand how principles of criminal liability apply to the practice of health care
  • Be able to reflect upon how the practice environment may impact upon the liability of a health care provider
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the connection between the legal obligations and ethical responsibilities of a health practitioner
  • Apply knowledge of a health care practitioner’s legal obligations to ensure better patient/client outcomes.

Syllabus:

Principal topics will include:

  • Structure of the health care profession
  • Professional regulation: Admission to practice
  • Professional regulation: Conduct
  • Civil liability:
    • Negligence
    • Legislation
  • Fiduciary duties of the health care practitioner
  • Criminal liability
  • Liability and professional indemnity insurance
  • Dealing with complaints
  • Identifying high-risk practice areas
  • Liability and practice: Private practitioners, employees and health care organisations
  • Identifying whether the law that applies to health care professionals may need reform.
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (1 October) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A. N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.LawLawYNNNParkvillePARKVILLEFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/732721732-7212

Download PDF version.