People living with a blood-borne virus (BBV) in Australia experience legal issues at significantly higher rates than those without and commonly face multiple and overlapping legal problems at once. These findings come from Health+Law’s Legal Needs Study, which also found the majority of participants report their most serious legal issues are linked to, or worsened by, living with a BBV. As a result, healthcare workers frequently encounter patients experiencing one or more legal issues.
As people are far more likely to visit a healthcare professional than a lawyer, GPs, nurses and others in healthcare are often the first to identify when a patient’s concerns may have a legal component. Healthcare workers can also play an important role in helping these patients access appropriate support and services. However, this can be easier said than done. A 2023 national survey of 32 clinicians found that 76 per cent had been directly approached for help with a legal issue, yet only 61 per cent said they ‘somewhat agreed’ they were confident in making referrals to legal advisors and services and knew where to access pertinent information. Additionally, no respondent reported that they strongly agreed they were confident in screening for legal problems.
To empower clinicians and healthcare workers in identifying common legal issues experienced by people living with BBVs and connect them with appropriate legal services, ASHM, in conjunction with Health+Law, has developed an on-demand e-learning course. The module Supporting patients with legal issues: Practical skills for the BBV healthcare workforce is designed to build confidence and capability by equipping professionals with the foundational knowledge and essential skills needed to identify legal problems early, and respond safely, ethically, and within professional scope.
Upon completing the module, individuals will be able to:
- Recognise common legal issues affecting people living with blood-borne viruses
- Clarify the boundaries between providing health information, advocacy and legal advice
- Understand the relationship between everyday legal problems and health outcomes
- Use appropriate and supportive communication strategies to discuss legal concerns
- Conduct a focused legal needs screen during routine consultations, and
- Initiate appropriate referrals where needed, and support their follow up.
Dr Samuel Elliott, Principal GP of Human Care GP recently completed the educational module.
“I found the module to be well focused, practical, and appropriately written, with realistic case studies grounded in primary care experience with patients living with blood borne viruses,” he says.
“This educational module is comprehensive and well-structured for healthcare workforce training in blood borne virus management and the associated legal issues that inevitably arise in clinical practice. The content is clear, relevant, and directly applicable to everyday patient care,”
“I highly recommend this module to colleagues seeking practical strategies and valuable insights into managing patients with blood borne viruses and navigating related legal concerns.”
The course takes approximately 70 minutes to complete and has been approved as a CPD activity by RACGP for the 2026–2028 triennium. Endorsement from ACRRM is pending. Hepatitis B s100 Prescribers can accrue one Prescriber Point upon completion of the training.
For more information or to commence the module click here.
