LAW5428 · Health law

Overview

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to, as well as critical analysis of, key issues in the study of health regulation, case law and policy in Australia. Topics covered in the unit may include introduction to the regulatory framework of the Australian health system; public health law; the law of consent to, and refusal of, medical treatment; access to, privacy and confidentiality of medical records; abortion; regulation of assisted reproductive technologies; regulation of human biological materials (organs, blood, tissue); regulation of (emerging) health technologies; crime and healthcare; patient redress and quality and safety in healthcare. The contemporary nature of the unit means its content will change from time to time, as will the emphasis placed on certain topics.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Have a good understanding of key aspects of the regulatory framework of the Australian health system;
2. Understand key aspects of health regulation, case law and policy;
3. Analyse and critically comment on a number of specific challenges and current areas of debate in health regulation, case law and policy;
4. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of key areas in health law;
5. Understand, evaluate and apply policy arguments for and against reform of key areas in health law;
6. Identify or find the relevant principles, regulation and case law and apply them to resolve issues that arise in health law;
7. Further develop legal research, writing, and legal argument skills in the area of health law; and
8. Further develop oral skills in legal argumentation in class discussions.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.