Unit Outline

This unit explores how ethical and legal principles inform the practice of healthcare professionals, particularly registered paramedics in Australia. You will gain knowledge of the fundamental ethical and legal principles governing practice and reflect on how to apply these in the emergency context through the analysis of real-world case studies. You will also gain a critical appreciation of the multiple perspectives inherent in any healthcare context as well as some conceptual strategies for weighing up situations of ethical and legal complexity.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Interpret the ethical considerations and the legal responsibilities of paramedicine practice.
2	Apply the codes of ethics, codes of conduct and professional standards to the practice of paramedicine.
3	Critically reflect on the ethical debates and issues in a professional healthcare context with supporting evidence.
4	Integrate ethical and legal principles through reflective practice in clinical decision-making situations.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	CNA308

Alterations as a result of student feedback

There are no changes as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Reflective analysis	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Analysis of a Case study	Week 9	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Interactive Oral Task	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Reflective analysis

Task Description:

You will be presented with a specific critical incident. You will use the prescribed reflective framework to analyse the critical incident. Your response will include your interpretation of the ethical considerations and legal responsibilities of those involved in the critical incident. Your response should also draw on key ethical concepts related to the complexities encountered in professional practice.

Task Length:

1000 words (excluding references)

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Determine the ethical considerations and legal responsibilities of the attending healthcare professionals in the critical incident in relation to paramedicine practice.	LO1
2	Reflect on the ethical issues and how one’s own values, biases, and behaviours may impact professional conduct in the context of the critical incident.	LO4
3	Present a professionally structured analysis supported by evidence that incorporates accurate use of ethical and legal terminology.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Analysis of a Case study

Task Description:

Analyse a real-world case study from an ethico-legal perspective, drawing on relevant content from the unit to date.

Task Length:

2000 words (excluding references)

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Interpret key ethico-legal concepts and their unique complexities and consequences.	LO1
2	Apply ethical and legal principles to clinical decision-making in relation to the case study.	LO2
3	Integrate the ethical and legal principles to analyse the negotiated outcomes between stakeholders in the case.	LO4
4	Present a professionally structured analysis that communicates relevant ideas supported by evidence.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Interactive Oral Task

Task Description:

Viva Voce - online oral examination.

You will be required to present answers to questions related to two case studies in an in-person online interview. Your task will involve a conversation to draw out your deepened knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal dimensions of the case studies. Your interactions and responses will reflect the professionalism expected of a paramedic working in the out-of-hospital environment.

Task Length:

Up to 15-minute online interview.

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Articulates ethical and legal complexities presented in the case studies.	LO1
2	Critically reflects on the ethical issues presented by the case.	LO3
3	Evaluates the best use of ethical and legal principles though reflective practice.	LO4
4	Presents responses in a manner that is professional and aligned to the codes of ethics and standards of paramedicine.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.