The Communication, Documentation and the Law course is part of the Breastfeeding for Health Professionals program. Upon completion the participant should be able to: discuss the importance of effective communication and its role in problem solving and decision making with breastfeeding women and their families and colleagues apply the principles of ethical standards to therapeutic communication in providing effective care to women with or without special needs demonstrate knowledge of managing the potential for miscommunication when using electronic formats apply knowledge of the statutory requirements and principles of effective and ethical documentation and record keeping to clinical practice demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the standards required for appropriate record keeping and documentation for nurses, midwives and associated health professionals demonstrate understanding of the implications of the right to autonomy and privacy in relation to breastfeeding, and apply the concepts of disclosure, consent and confidentiality legislation to breastfeeding issues.

Target Audience

Any clinical or non-clinical employee of a health institution who is required to have an understanding of breastfeeding practice. This can include non-clinical staff (such as cleaners, cooks etc) through to nurses, midwives, doctors and lactation consultants.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the participant should be able to: 

• discuss the importance of effective communication and its role in problem solving and decision making with breastfeeding women and their -families and colleagues 
• apply the principles of ethical standards to therapeutic communication in providing effective care to women with or without special needs 
• demonstrate knowledge of managing the potential for miscommunication when using electronic formats 
• apply knowledge of the statutory requirements and principles of effective and ethical documentation and record keeping to clinical practice 
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the standards required for appropriate record keeping and documentation for nurses, midwives and associated health professionals 
• demonstrate understanding of the implications of the right to autonomy and privacy in relation to breastfeeding, and 
• apply the concepts of disclosure, consent and confidentiality legislation to breastfeeding issues.