1. Tips for Deconstructing the Case Study and Research Strategies
2805NRS Legal and Ethical Principles in Healthcare
Tips for Deconstructing the Case Study and Research Strategies
We kindly acknowledge the following people who assisted with the preparation of this tutorial content.
Thank you: Kim Cartwright, Peta-Anne Zimmerman & Wendy Summers-Penny

2. Case Study– 2805NRS
Check that all students know about this assignment and its due date (it is the first written piece of assessment due for 2nd year nursing courses). Both these written assessments are due while students are off campus on Clinical Placement blocks.

3. Case Study– 2805NRS Length: 2000 words (excluding reference list)
Weighting: 40% of overall grade
Due Date: Monday 30th April by 5pm
Submission Format: Submit online via Turnitin
Case Study Format: Use presentation formatting and APA 6th Edition guidelines detailed the on Griffith Health Writing and Referencing Guide site
Check that all students know about this assignment and its due date (it is the first written piece of assessment due for 2nd year nursing courses). Both these written assessments are due while students are off campus on Clinical Placement blocks.

4. Marking Criteria Legal Issues – 40 Marks Criteria Marks
Criteria
Marks 1
Correctly describes the elements of a valid consent and the potential legal consequences may flow if healthcare practitioners provide treatment without first obtain consent. 5 2
Correctly identifies whether the paramedics have authority to treat Ross in light of his earlier refusal, and provides correct legal authority to support the answer 3
Provides a rationale to support the legal requirement to obtain consent in circumstances where a patient lacks decision-making capacity. 4
Correctly lists that potential options available for the healthcare practitioners to obtain consent, and provides correct legal authority to support your answer. 10
Correctly describes the legal options that are available to provide a definitive answer as to what course of action the healthcare practitioners should take if there is disagreement between substitute decision makers. 6
Correctly describes the factors that will be taken into account when making a decision as to whether Ross’ life-sustaining measures can be withdrawn.
Go through this with students so they can see where marks are to be allocated. Also, make sure to point out that a significant portion of marks are allocated for academic writing, research and referencing, so these should not be aspects of the assignment process that students neglect.

5. Presentation and Structure– 10 marks
Ethical Issues – 40 Marks
Criteria
Marks 7
Using the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, accurately identifies two relevant principles and describes how the selected principles apply to the facts in scenario. 10 8
Accurately identifies the ethical values of two stakeholders in the scenario and describes how they might create a conflict between the principles selected in question seven. 20 9
Appropriately applies the modified Kerridge et al. (2013) model for ethical problem solving to address the conflict.
Presentation and Structure– 10 marks
Criteria
Marks 10
The case study essay is appropriately structured with a succinct introduction and conclusion. Coherent organisation of ideas presented under appropriate headings and formatted according to the Health Group Assignment Presentation Formatting Guidelines.
Essay is well presented, with correct spelling, grammar, and well-constructed sentence and paragraph structure.
Referencing – 10 marks
Criteria
Marks 11
Evidence of extensive reading and use of relevant materials (case law, legislation, academic journals and text books) to support key points and argument.
Correct in-text referencing and reference list consistent with the Health Group Writing and Referencing guidelines (APA 6th Edition) 10

6. Deconstructing the task
Aim:
In your future role as a health care professional you will be faced with complex and challenging situations. There will at times be a legal solution that can be applied to the situation. It is important that you are aware of what this might be so that you can confidently practice within these legal boundaries. Almost always there will be differing ethical positions that need to be considered. The purpose of this case study is to provide you with the skills to identify a legal issue, including the possible outcomes and consider why an ethical conflict arises.

7. Deconstructing the task
Overview of Task
The case study will assess all of the learning outcomes in 2805NRS.
You have been provided with a contemporary health law case study. It is based on a real life situation and reflects some of the diverse and challenging issues that can arise within the provision of any health care service. You are required to identify and discuss the legal and ethical issues presented in this scenario
You are expected to submit your case study with appropriate grammar, spelling, sentences, paragraphs and references. It should be structured using the following headings:
Introduction
Legal Issues
Ethical Issues
Conclusion

8. Structure of Case Study
Let‘s do the Maths!
2000 word count
Introduction: 10% = 200 words (1 paragraph)
Body: 80% = 1600 words
1. Legal issues – 800 words 2. Ethical issues – 800 words
Conclusion: 10% = 200 words (1 paragraph)
Again, slides will be provided in tutorials for 2972NRS which give a bit more information on what should be highlighted in the conclusion. Attendance at these tutorial classes (as with classes each week) should therefore be strongly advised.
In relation to Reference list, check with students, do they know what information goes on the reference list? What is the difference between a reference list and a bibliography?

9. Possible structure: Section Words Percent of Marks Introduction
200 words – (1 paragraph)
10% marks
Legal Issues:
800 words
40% of marks
Elements of a valid consent (100 words)
2. Ross’ Refusal (100 words)
3. Rationale for consent (100 words)
Legal options for consent (200 words)
Disagreement among decision-makers (100 words)
Life-sustaining decision factors (200 words)
Ethical Issues:
2 principles – how do they apply to this case? (200 words)
Ethical values and conflict between principles (400 words)
Applies model for ethical problem (200 words)
Conclusion
200 words - (1 paragraph)

10. Taking apart the Scenario
Who are the key stakeholders?
What are the important aspects of the scenario that will help you identify the legal and ethical issues and other related points you need to address?

11. Taking apart the Scenario
Where will you go to find more information to help you address the case study task?
Lecture notes; Tutorial notes
Textbook readings
course site
Where else??
Where NOT to go!
READ THE SCENARIO OUT LOUD. Actively throw this segment of the workshop over to the students. The point here is not to provide answers to the first two questions above, but to start to get the students thinking about how they will pull apart the scenario so they can address the task.

12. Other resources for all written assessments
Health Group Writing and Referencing Guide
Located in all your course sites
Provides important formatting details:
Assignment Presentation Formatting Guidelines (to help you format your manuscript – e.g. font type, size, spacing, margins, page numbers, etc.)
APA Referencing Guidelines – provides specific formatting rules for:
Body of your case study
In-text citations
Reference list

13. Assignment Submission
Online Submission via TurnitIn
Resources available to assist with this available on 2805NRS course site
How to Submit video
Using Turnitin Guide
Other support and resources for Turnitin
If you have time, ask how confident students are with submitting assessment items online

14. Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ross being treated?
You can assume that Ross is being treated in a Queensland hospital. This means that you need to refer to Qld legislation.
Can I use references that are more than 5 years old?
Yes, as you will be referring to legislation and cases many of these are more than 5 years old.
How many references do I need?
You need to reference appropriately where required. There is no definitive number, but legislation and case law are included in your references.
What is meant by legal authority?
Legal authority includes legislation and case law.
Is there any lee way with the word limit?
Word limits are strictly adhered to. This means that markers will stop reading the essay at 2000 words.

15. How can we help?