OT4003 - Health Law and Ethics for OT Professional Practice

This subject will critically examine legislative and ethical aspects of health service delivery with a particular focus on occupational therapy and rural and remote practice. A variety of ethical issues will be analysed through the application of professional reasoning, ethical principles and theories and legal obligations. The interface between rights and responsibilities of service users, service providers and society as a whole will be explored in relation to their application to occupational therapy practice. Attention will be paid to the ethical requirements embedded within culturally-safe health care practice in rural and remote settings. Students participating in this subject will develop the advanced knowledge and skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning and reflective practice needed to negotiate complex practice situations in health care.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate effective, cohesive and persuasive written and oral communication;
• demonstrate reflective insight into legal and ethical decision making for professional service delivery in a multicultural society whether urban or rural and remote;
• deconstruct ethical issues through the application of ethical principles, theories and professional guidelines to inform professional reasoning and health service delivery;
• critically evaluate and apply relevant government legislation affecting all areas of health professional practice;
• integrate conceptual thinking, reflective practice and critical reflexivity in order to constructively evaluate contemporary and emerging health care practice.

Subject Assessment

• Participation > Class participation - (%) - Individual
• Written > Dilemma 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Oral > Guided discussion - (20%) - Group
• Oral > Viva - (40%) - Individual.

Special Assessment Requirements

Passing requirements: complete and submit all assessment items; achieve a cumulative score of at least 50% after the application of any penalties such as late penalties; achieve at least 50% for the viva exam and the ethical review of a case study, combined; participate in at least 80% of scheduled workshops and seminars.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.