Essay LWD101: The Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and the Ethical and Legal Principles – Health Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

Q. Is it enough that I identify the relevant parts of the Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and the ethical and legal principles? 

A. Make sure you follow the process we have considered in tutorials to answer the weekly tutorial questions. 

For example, in step 2 of your framework, you need to firstly identify the relevant elements from the Code of Ethics (the elements and parts of the elements that apply to the facts of the scenario). If Element 1.1 applies, then identify Element 1.1. Secondly, you extract the relevant PART of that element. For example, ‘The nurse’s primary professional responsibility is to people requiring nursing care’. Thirdly, you need to then ‘apply’ that section to the facts (i.e. bring that section back to the facts in the scenario). For example, ‘RN Megan has a primary responsibility to Tom, her patient, before her responsibility to her colleagues’. 

Please refer to the CRA document on this point and the framework document provided on blackboard in week 2. You will note that in tutorials there is an emphasis on the application of ethics/law to the facts of the scenario. You need to provide an argument about *why* a particular ethical statement, ethical principle, or law/legal principle is relevant and applicable to the scenario. You should go beyond, for example, saying the patient is vulnerable (see, Element 1.5) – in what particular ways is the patient vulnerable in the context of the scenario? 

Q. What is included in the word count? 

A. The word count includes all headings, in-text references, direct quotes, sections of the Codes but excludes the reference list and any cover sheet. Words in excess of the maximum word limit cannot be read. Note there is NO 10% leeway. The 1600 word limit is your maximum. You can, of course, go under the word count. 

Q. Do I need to find legal cases or legislation to complete this assessment? 

A. This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find and read cases or to find and read legislation. You can complete the problem solving exercise by working through the lecture materials and tutorial materials on the relevant topics. Some students have found the recommended textbook is also useful. A google search on some points mentioned in the scenario might also provide some useful background information BUT bear in mind you need to be identifying and applying relevant Queensland law (not law from other jurisdictions) in your PSE. 

Q. Do I need to access journal articles to complete this assessment? 

A. This is not a research assignment. You are not required to find or read any journal articles. Use the lecture materials and tutorial materials. You will find textbooks in the library if you wish to read further on the relevant topics but this is not necessary. 

Q. How many references do I need? 

A. There is no prescribed number of references that are required. You must comply with the referencing guidelines found at www.citewrite.qut.edu.au. The sample assignment (previous student paper) that you view during the tutorial in week 7 shows how to set out your reference list. Copies of this student paper will be available to view again in the week 8 tutorials. 

Q. Am I required to have an introduction or conclusion? 

A. This is a problem based assessment and you apply the ethical decision-making framework to the scenario. You should not present this in essay form so there is no need for an introduction and conclusion – use the structure of the ethical decision-making framework (steps 1-5) to guide the structure of your answer. Your options for action/steps for action stage (in step 3, after conduct principles) and Implementation (in step 4) will provide a conclusion. 

Q. I can’t fit everything into 1600 words – can I use note form? 

A. This is a problem based question to which you are applying a decision-making framework. It is not an essay. You are expected therefore to be succinct (brief) in your answers and limit yourself to addressing the issues raised by the problem. You do need to write in complete sentences, with appropriate spelling and grammar, but you may use bullet points (where appropriate) and short sentences. 

Q. Is there only one issue? 

A. There is likely to be more than one issue raised by the problem scenario and you need to identify and apply the Codes, ethical principles and law to all issues and come up with actions and an implementation strategy for all issues. Note that the issues might not be confined to only one lecture topic. You should identify the different issues in step 1 (Identify issues and collect information) and separate the different issues in the Law/Legal Issues part of step 3, but you should only work through a SINGLE framework overall (in the same way as the student example PSE does).