Ethics and Law of Health Information
UndergraduateLTU-HIM3EHI2026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 22 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 Mar 2026
- Price from
- $1,192
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Ethics and Law of Health Information
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply key bioethical theories and principles to health information and its management, and to health/clinical informatics and related ICT health information practice.
- Demonstrate a practical working knowledge of legislative requirements surrounding the collection, management, and reporting of health information at all levels of the healthcare system.
- Work collaboratively to identify contemporary issues and health information management professional responsibilities for ethical and legal governance of health information and systems in the contexts of existing and emerging technologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Health Information Managers' professional responsibilities for the proper governance and use of health data, information and systems throughout the healthcare system in the contexts of custody, confidentiality and privacy.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the practical requirements of the professional Code of Ethics for practising Health Information Managers and Clinical/Medical Coders.
- Bioethical theories and principles
- Ethical and legal frameworks for managing health information
- Privacy, confidentiality, security and access
- Consent, freedom of information and mental health law
- Professional liability and negligence
- Ethics in health research
- Digital health ethics
- Legal responsibilities of Health Information Managers
In this subject, you will develop a working knowledge of health information professional responsibilities concerning ethical, legal, compliance, and governance obligations in the computing field and healthcare information industry. These include the ethical and legal frameworks underpinning the creation, collection, reporting, management and uses of health data, related documents, systems, and technologies. Key topics include: privacy; security; confidentiality; access; e-health; ownership; data linkage; and information and documentation issues surrounding biomedical and health technologies and clinical practice. Students develop ethical and legal understandings of: electronic and paper-based health records; managing the organisation-wide privacy function; information systems and services; and the legal implications and responsibilities inherent in health information management work.
This subject includes synchronous sessions held during business hours. This means that you will attend sessions each week simultaneously with your facilitator and classmates. This subject is recommended for third-year undergraduate students, and for students who have completed all first- and second-year subjects in the Bachelor of Health Information Management.
- Discussion Forums (250 words equivalent) (10%)
- 15-minute team presentation (500-words equivalent, per student) (15%)
- One written Individual Assignment (1,500-words) (30%)
- 90 minute online test (1,500 words equivalent) (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- LAT-HIM-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Health Information Management
Elective
- LAT-HSC-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Health Sciences
- LAT-AHS-DEG-2026 - Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
LTU-HIM2005 (Not currently available)
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Others
Prerequisites: Students must be admitted in HB001O or undertaking Digital health major in HBHSO or AZ001O.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Health Information Management
UndergraduateLAT-HIM-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-AHS-DEG