Purpose:
To facilitate the development of critical inquiry skills to engage students in the analysis of Public Health Care.

Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPO`S):
1. Apply knowledge relevant to health issues to assist in the enhancement of the health of the individuals and whanau/families, organizations and communities.

2. Analyze concepts of health caregivers’ role including Legislation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ The Treaty of Waitangi, and health ethics.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Articulate the essence of Public Health Legislation and services and explain the importance of ethical practice in healthcare.

2. Relate health legislation to health in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
To pass the assessment, you must meet all the stated learning outcomes (LOS) and must achieve 50% marks in tasks addressing the Los.

Case Study 1

John has attended the Genito-urinary clinic at his local district health board hospital. John is seen by Dr. Smith who informs him that he is HIV positive. Dr. Smith counsels John to contact his sexual partners to inform them of his status. John starts a course of treatment.

For the last 18 months, John has been in a relationship with Tracey. They are expecting a baby in 2 months’ time. Before this relationship, John had a series of sexual partners. On a subsequent visit to the clinic, it becomes clear to Dr. Smith that John has not told Tracey of his HIV status. Dr. Smith is aware of the impending arrival of their baby and tells John that steps should be taken to assess whether Tracy is HIV positive and whether the baby is at risk so that if necessary, treatment may be started. John adamantly refuses to tell Tracey and says that if she is told without his consent, he will stop his course of treatment.

Case Study 2
You are working as a Health Care Assistant in New Zealand Residential Care. Mrs. Jackson, one of the residents’ that you and your colleague are caring for that day, is experiencing quite a few health care challenges, to a point that her daughter is called in to help calm her down.

That evening, you are on Facebook at home after work and your colleague posts on her “wall” about her day at work and in particular mentions some information about a “patient’s” condition. Your colleague does not mention Mrs. Jackson’s name, but all her friends know where she works, and you know who she is referring to.

Before you can report this to the Facility Manager the next day, Mrs. Jackson’s daughter confronts you, because one of her friends is friends with your colleague. She mentions that exactly what has been written by your colleague, has happened to her Mom. She is angry and threatens to sue the institution as well as you and your colleague because you were also looking after her Mom. You feel somewhat intimidated and refer her to the Facility Manager immediately.

Questions

Case study 1: Public Health Legislation and ethical principles:

a) Explain two legal issues that are applicable in this case study. Provide the reference of relevant healthcare legislation and policies.

b) What ethical issues can you identify in this case study. Discuss any 2 issues in detail.

c) Analyse the ethical principles that are applicable to this case study and support them with relevant examples and your experiences.

Case study 2: Health Legislation in the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand

a) Critically analyze which parts of Health Legislation of New Zealand/Aotearoa are relevant to case study 2?

b) What recommendations would you make to the Health Care Assistant to avoid this situation in the future.

c) Evaluate in the context of Aotearoa/ New Zealand, if your mention Health legislation is helpful and enough to improve the health of people and communities. Provide justifications and appropriate legal and ethical references in the context of the New Zealand/Aotearoa Health Care setting.