Legal issues in medicine

The Unit explores legal and ethical dilemmas that arise in medicine and law. A central focus will be considering the principles and regulation of medical practice and allied health professionals under Victorian law; the legal and ethical duties owed by doctors to their patients; consent and refusal of medical treatment; competence and incompetence in law and medicine; medical negligence; abortion and wrongful birth, pregnancy and life claims and active and passive euthanasia. These topics will include consideration of the adult, child and disabled patient. Although the unit focuses on Australian law, such issues will also explore approaches taken in overseas jurisdictions.