LAWS 6006 Medical Law
Credit Points 10
Coordinator Emma Bartley Opens in new window
Description This subject analyses Australian medical law. The legal issues are examined in broad social, cultural and ethical contexts, including critical perspectives on medical law and policy relating to Indigenous people. Medical law is underpinned by the rapid pace of scientific and social developments that generate new issues for medicine and for the law, many of which are at the core of policy— birth and reproduction, choice and responsibility, life and death. Students will engage in professional learning activities to demonstrate their application of this body of law in practice.
School Law
Discipline Legal Practice
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp
Check your fees via the Fees page.
Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 6 subject
Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 7047
LAWS 7072
LAWS 7057 and
LAWS 7048
Incompatible Subjects LAWS 3050
Restrictions
Must be enrolled in the 2826 Juris Doctor program.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate medico-legal principles from primary and secondary legal sources.
- Apply knowledge of medical law to practical issues.
- Analyse the relationship between law, medicine, and ethics, incorporating different social and cultural perspectives.
- Evaluate recent and potential areas appropriate for medical law reform.
- Develop advanced communication and reflection skills.
Subject Content
- Civil liability legislation
- Privacy, confidence and medical record access
- Insurance
- Consent / trespass; consent / incapacity
- Medical law and policy relating to Indigenous people
- Negligence - Duty and breach, conflicting duties
- Vicarious liability and non-delegable duties
- Contract and Australian Consumer Law claims
- Information cases / failure to warn
- Mental harm claims
- Duties to third parties
- Causation / apportionment
- Assessment of damages
- Limitation periods
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Beginning of life
- Wrongful life and birth
- End of life
- Expert evidence and immunity
- Discipline, mandatory reporting and crime
- Coronial jurisdiction
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
| Type | Length | Percent | Threshold | Individual/Group Task | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection | 1,500 words or equivalent | 30 | N | Individual | N |
| Professional Task | 3,000 words | 35 | N | Individual | N |
| Professional Task | 3,000 words | 35 | N | Individual | N |
Prescribed Texts
- Madden, McIlwraith & Madden, Australian Medical Liability (LexisNexis 4th ed 2021)
Teaching Periods
Spring (2024)
Parramatta - Victoria Rd
On-site
Subject Contact Emma Bartley Opens in new window
View timetable Opens in new window
Spring (2025)
Parramatta - Victoria Rd
On-site
Subject Contact Emma Bartley Opens in new window