PBBS1012 Communication, Counselling and Medico Legal Assignment Brief 2026

PBBS1012 Assignment Brief

Module: Communication, Counselling and Medico Legal

Code: PBBS 1012

Weightage: 20%

Mode Of Assessment: Case Study Analysis

Assignment Objective

This assignment aims to supports students in demonstrating professional values, ethical decision-making, legal accountability, and commitment to safe infection prevention and control practices in accordance with professional codes of conduct. (A4, PLO 11).

Instruction To Students

1. Select ONE (1) real healthcare-related legal case involving a medico-legal issue such as:
   • Negligence or malpractice
   • Breach of confidentiality
   • Failure to obtain informed consent
   • Occupational exposure incidents
   • Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
   • Outbreak management failures
   • Failure to comply with infection prevention and control measures
   • Failure to report notifiable infectious diseases
2. The selected case may be obtained from:
   • Court judgments
   • Published journal articles
   • Professional disciplinary cases
   • Government or Ministry of Health reports
   • WHO reports
   • Credible news reports
3. Support all discussions with relevant literature, legal references, professional guidelines, and current evidence.
4. Students are encouraged to relate the case analysis to infection prevention and control practices where applicable.

Assignment Structures

Part A: Case Background (20 Marks)

Provide a concise overview of the selected case.

Include:

• Background of the case
• Healthcare setting involved
• Individuals involved
• Summary of events
• Outcome of the case

Guiding Questions

1. What happened?
2. Who was involved?
3. What was the outcome?

Part B: Ethical and Legal Analysis (30 Marks)

Analyze the ethical and legal issues involved in the case.

Ethical Principles

• Beneficence
• Non-maleficence
• Autonomy
• Justice
• Accountability

Legal Responsibilities

• Duty of care
• Negligence
• Malpractice
• Confidentiality
• Professional accountability

Guiding Questions

1. Which ethical principles were upheld or violated?
2. What legal responsibilities were involved?
3. Were there any breaches of professional standards?

Part C: Infection Prevention and Control Analysis (25 Marks)

Discuss the case from an Infection Control perspective.

Consider:

• Standard precautions
• Transmission-based precautions
• Surveillance
• Risk communication
• Patient safety
• Occupational safety

Guiding Questions

1. What IPC issues contributed to the incident?
2. Which IPC principles were breached?
3. How could the incident have been prevented?

Part D: Professional Code of Conduct and Reflection (15 Marks)

Discuss how professional codes of conduct apply to the case.

Reflect on:

• Professional accountability
• Ethical decision-making
• Safe practice
• Responsibility to protect patients and healthcare workers

Guiding Questions

1. How should healthcare professionals have responded?
2. What lessons can be learned from this case?
3. How can ethical principles and legal responsibilities be integrated into IPC practice?

Part E: Recommendations and Conclusion (10 Marks)

Provide recommendations to prevent recurrence.

Include:

• Staff education
• Policy improvement
• Monitoring and auditing
• Leadership support
• IPC strengthening strategies

Conclude with key lessons learned from the case.

Assignment Guidelines:

Students should follow the guidelines for assignment writing as sections given.

I. Assignment Format & Structure:

Students must adhere to the provided assignment structure and sections.

II. Grading Criteria:

Assessment will be based on individual performance using a standardized rubric.

III. Word Limit:

The assignment should not exceed 2500 words.

IV. Formatting Requirements:

• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12
• Spacing: 1.5

V. Referencing Style:

APA 6th or 7th edition must be used for citations and references.

VI. Submission Deadline:

Date: 31st July 2026

Time: On or before 4:30 PM

VII. Late Submission Penalty:

A 2.5% deduction will be applied for late submissions.

VIII. Plagiarism Policy: 

Zero marks will be awarded if plagiarism is detected.