PAR3030 - Ethical, legal and cultural issues

Leader: Dr Caroline Spencer

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will draw on the experience of students to identify ethical, legal and cultural issues in paramedic practice. The unit will explore elements of ambulance professional practice that include a legal framework and responsibilities and ethical and moral behaviour expected of a health professional, with a particular emphasis on emergency situations.

The student will develop an understanding of the community they serve through consideration of the cultural factors that affect health and well-being, response to illness and interaction with care-givers. This unit will draw on cases from paramedic practice to provide context for discussions.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. Determine appropriate ethical and moral professional behaviour through the recognition and analysis of ethical issues that can affect paramedic practice

2. Describe the legal issues surrounding the provision of ambulance services and paramedic care and identify the implications of these to their own professional practice

3. Describe the key cultural issues applied to the health care system in general and the professional environment of the paramedic in particular.

Assessment

3 x minor assignments - 90%

Discussion participation - 10%

Contact hours

Students will be required to spend 12 hours per week in study and assessment preparation, including contact time in the on campus mode. This equates to a minimum of 156 hours of student work required over the 13 week semester.

Prerequisites

Students are required to hold a Diploma of Ambulance Paramedic Studies or equivalent and be practising paramedics and/or Australian armed forces personnel.

Co-requisites

PAR3010, PAR3020, PAR3040