Overview

The content will examine current legal and ethical issues within the healthcare context.   Students will be introduced to legal and ethical theories and principles and explore their use within healthcare. The content will represent different client groups from across the lifespan and include areas such as mental capacity and vulnerable groups. The rights and obligations of both healthcare practitioners and patients will be addressed. Discussion and reflection will be encouraged to take account of the implications of recent events in society and of new legislation that impacts on healthcare decision making.

Module aims

• To examine legal and ethical issues related to healthcare and reflect on the implications for practice
• To explore philosophical approaches to healthcare provision
• To explore current ethical and legal issues which impact on healthcare

Entry requirements

• Current professional registration

Module content

Introduction to ethical theories and approaches:

Including philosophical approaches that underlie theory and principled approaches

Introduction to the law as it relates to healthcare

To include areas of professional law, quasi law, common and statute law and to include negligence claims

Ethical and legal implications of looking after a diverse patient group

To represent different client groups from across the lifespan, Including areas such as mental capacity and vulnerable groups. Also to include the rights and obligations of healthcare practitioners as carers for these groups.

Patients rights and obligations as the consumers of care

To include resource issues, personal responsibility for health, inclusion in research

Autonomy and advocacy

Including the involvement of clients in the planning and delivery of care and at the legal requirement of consent. Also to include the decision making for clients who lack capacity

Accountability of healthcare practitioners

To include scope of practice issues

Ethical decision making in practice

Exploring current debates. To include some on line discussion

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of each module delivery mode is a series of face to face tutor-led or group-led seminars or workshops.
• Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard.
• Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions within face to face tutor time
• Directed independent study. Most of the study hours for each module comprise independent learning by expecting participants to add depth and breadth to their knowledge of topics, to practice skills and to reflect on critical incidents and their practice.