Paramedic Law and Ethics

Abstract

Students will be provided with an introductory understanding of the legal, ethical and professional issues that they will face in their practice, and the tools, principles and frameworks they can use to help navigate them. Students will examine and apply the legal and ethical theoretical principles for safe practice as … For more content click the Read More button below. The themes of client autonomy and self-determination, client rights and professional responsibility will be examined within the context of out-of-hospital care and include an examination of issues relating to particular groups that paramedics work with, inclusive of First Nations people, the aged, children, the terminally ill, and those who lack the capacity to make independent decisions.

Students will examine and apply the legal and ethical theoretical principles for safe practice as a paramedic. The subject uses a case-based framework to support students to deliberate, discuss, critique, and reflect on real-world scenarios

The themes of client autonomy and self-determination, client rights and professional responsibility will be examined within the context of out-of-hospital care and include an examination of issues relating to particular groups that paramedics work with, inclusive of First Nations people, the aged, children, the terminally ill, and those who lack the capacity to make independent decisions.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: Professional role, responsibilities, issues and conduct, in particular the place of professional Codes of Conduct for Paramedics;Legal and ethical issues pertinent to out-of-hospital care: patient rights, professional rights, privacy, confidentiality, withdrawal of treatment and advance directives;Legal and ethical issues inherent in a range … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

Professional role, responsibilities, issues and conduct, in particular the place of professional Codes of Conduct for Paramedics;
Legal and ethical issues pertinent to out-of-hospital care: patient rights, professional rights, privacy, confidentiality, withdrawal of treatment and advance directives;
Legal and ethical issues inherent in a range of clinical areas including those related to developmental disability, palliative care, critical care, public health;
Legal and ethical issues relating to specific health care groups, including women, adolescents, children, people with mental health issues and people with developmental disabilities, inclusive of First Nations people;
Reflect on the legal and ethical frameworks, the social determinants of health for First Nations peoples, and its impact on paramedic practice;
Introduction to legislation relating to out-of-hospital care: including poisons, mental health, workplace health and safety, protection, guardianship, civil liability and law;
Structure of the Australian legal system, sources of law, and application, including the tort of negligence, vicarious liability, assault and battery, consent, false imprisonment in the context of out-of-hospital care and human rights;
Ethical theory, principles and values;
Bioethical issues related to health care delivery; and
Documentation of practice.

Assessment items

1. Essay: Essential ethical issues in paramedicine

2. Short answer Test

3. Online Exam

Enrolment restrictions

Enrolment is restricted to students in the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic), Bachelor of Paramedicine, Bachelor of Paramedicine (Honours).

Learning resources

Additional resources required by students

Leganto reading list: https://csulibrary.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/lists/4956844650002357