Patient Safety and the Law

Subject LAWS70348 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prerequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Contact

For the most up-to-date information about this subject, contact the Melbourne Law Masters Office by email at law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone 8344 6190 or alternatively visit the subject website: www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

Principal topics will include:

  • Patient safety
  • Patients' needs and rights following an adverse event
  • Open disclosure
  • Defensive medicine
  • Health practitioner regulation (including the new Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory scheme)
  • Health complaint systems in Australia and New Zealand.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the significance of patient safety as a health policy issue
  • Be aware of the needs of patients following an adverse event
  • Know what 'open disclosure' means and why it matters
  • Have analysed barriers to patient safety, including medical litigation
  • Understand the legal responsibilities of clinicians, managers and boards
  • Appreciate regulatory levers to improve patient safety
  • Have examined the regulation of health professionals in Australia and New Zealand
  • Be familiar with health complaint systems in Australia and New Zealand.
Assessment:

10,000 word research paper (100%) (7 October) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
Prescribed Texts: Visit the subject website for more information
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Links to further information: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/

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