CHB4203

Ethical issues in patient care

(ART)

Justin Oakley (on campus); John McKie (distance education)

12 points + 2 hours per week + First or second semester + Clayton + Distance education students can take this subject in either semester + Prerequisite: CHB4101 or equivalent

Synopsis: This subject aims to develop students0 critical and analytical understanding of certain key ethical issues in patient care. The subject focuses initially on four main ethical principles commonly appealed to in this context: autonomy, privacy, beneficence and justice. These principles and the relations and conflicts between them will be examined in terms of a variety of broad ethical issues which arise in patient care, such as paternalism, confidentiality, informed consent, surrogacy, resource allocation, and euthanasia. There will also be some discussion of competing models of health professional-patient relationships, and issues of professional autonomy.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 20% + Essay (3000 words): 40% + Take-home exam (3000 words): 40%