Outline

Overview

This unit deals with patients rights to information in the modern health care system. The unit will focus on consent to treatment and will include discussion of capacity the duty of health professionals to disclose the risks of treatment refusal of treatment and emergency health care. The unit will also examine duties of confidentiality in health care ownership of and access to medical records and information rights in medical research.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS3452 or LAWS5152
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christopher Rudge, christopher.rudge@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Annotated Bibliography and Reflection Annotated bibliography with reflections on 1 unit topic (in Reading Guide)	35%	Week 05 Due date: 17 Apr 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 May 2023	2000 words / 5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Recorded Video Presentation Submission of a recorded video presentation on questions distributed	10%	Week 07 Due date: 01 May 2023 at 17:00 Closing date: 09 Jun 2023	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Problem Question and Essay Pt A Essay: 3000 wds (30% of total) Pt B Problem: 2000 wds (25% of total)	55%	Week 10 Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Jun 2023	5000 word total / 9 weeks
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Recorded Video Presentation Assignment (10%): Students must give a presentation on a topic provided by the lecturer. Presentations must be no longer than 10 minutes. The recorded video presentation must be uploaded to the unit of study Canvas site on or before 1 May 2023, 5pm.

2000 Word Annotated Bibliography and Reflection (35%): Students must compose an annotated bibliography, accompanied by reflections on the student's experience of reading the sources and the extent to which they found them easy or difficult, useful or irrelevant, in one topic listed in the Reading Guide. The due date is 17 April 2023, 23:59pm.

Final Assignment (55%): The Final Assignment consists of a compulsory

Problem-based Question 2000 word limit
Essay-based Question 3000 word limit

The Final Assignment will be released 27 March 2023 at 9:00am and is due Wednesday 26 May 2023, 11:59pm.

Special Consideration: The outcome of a grant of special consideration application may include an alternative task, at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Use of editors or proof-readers: Student must retain pre-submitted drafts of their assessment on file. The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

Word Limit Penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude all footnotes and any bibliography (if required).

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out for this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Assessment specific rubrics will be prepared in relation to the two assessments in this unit of study and be available on the assessment description sheets through Canvas.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 12 noon but before 11:59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 02	1: Confidentiality; 2: Privacy and Health Information	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 02	1: Accessing health information; 2: Consent to Medical Treatment	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 05	1: Refusal of medical treatment; 2: Information about Treatment Benefits and Risks	Seminar (7 hr)
Week 05	Health Information Rights and Medical Research	Seminar (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit of study. Students are required to participate in all classes including in-class group exercises and presentations. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Ian Kerridge, Michael Lowe, Cameron Stewart, Ethics and Law for the Health Professions (Federation Press, 4th ed, 2013)

The required readings will be provided on Canvas site under ‘Reading List.'

Where legislation is listed in the Reading Guide as required reading, students will be expected to access the legislation prior to class.

Similarly, journal articles and other materials flagged as required reading must be accessed before seminars, and links will be included on the Reading Guide to ensure all such materials are accessible.

These links will be to databases accessible because the University holds a subscription to the databases. Where any source is not available through the University library website or a University-subscribed database, then an accessible copy will be made available.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand, summarise, critically evaluate, participate in, challenge and progress the legal and ethical debates concerning confidentiality, information privacy, and consent in health care settings.
LO2. Critically evaluate, challenge or commend, and analyse the legal cases and statutes relevant to: the information dynamic between health care professionals and patients; the implications of digital technology for patient privacy; and, the impact of changing models of health care delivery on information flows, including information sharing and breaches.
LO3. Critically evaluate and progress current laws, debates, and proposals for reform relevant to confidentiality, health information privacy, and consent.
LO4. Clearly and effectively communicate ideas on confidentiality, health information privacy, and consent in both oral and written form, including by describing the individual learning process through the use of metacognitive reflections.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

As I have not taught this unit before, I have no previous feedback to implement.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS6058: Information Rights in Health Care

Intensive April, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect