Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care unit (CAA215)

Online

Introduction

This unit explores how ethical and legal principles inform the practice of healthcare professionals, particularly registered paramedics in Australia. You will gain knowledge of the fundamental ethical and legal principles governing practice and reflect on how to apply these in the emergency context through the analysis of real-world case studies. You will also gain a critical appreciation of the multiple perspectives inherent in any healthcare context as well as some conceptual strategies for weighing up situations of ethical and legal complexity.

Summary

Unit name	Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
Unit code	CAA215
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline	Paramedicine|Philosophy
Coordinator	Doctor Anya Daly
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Intermediate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Trimester

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Trimester	1/11/2026	23/11/2026	23/12/2026	13/2/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Interpret the ethical considerations and the legal responsibilities of paramedicine practice.
• Apply the codes of ethics, codes of conduct and professional standards to the practice of paramedicine.
• Critically reflect on the ethical debates and issues in a professional healthcare context with supporting evidence.
• Integrate ethical and legal principles through reflective practice in clinical decision-making situations.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
069905	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,919.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

CNA308

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	10 hours per week independent self-directed learning.
Assessment	Reflective analysis (25%)|Interactive Oral Task (35%)|Analysis of a Case study (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.