CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHIR20002 Clinical Practice 1
Clinical Practice 1
All details in this unit profile for CHIR20002 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Clinical Practice 1 will provide you with your first opportunity to work at a satisfactory level after completing your undergraduate studies. This is the first of six clinical practical units in which you will gain experience by observing a real chiropractic clinic during a placement. In Clinical Practice 1 you will be expected to perform as a functional team member under guidance of the clinic supervisors and placement mentors whilst developing observational and reflective skills.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 9
Credit Points: 12
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.25

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in CC71 - Master of Clinical Chiropractic and Corequisite: CHIR20001 Advanced Neurology and Skeletal Dysfunction

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Brisbane
Mackay
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: 60%
2. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Examination
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Feedback

Feedback

Clarification regarding expectations of Masters level reflective writing.

Recommendation

There are higher expectations of Masters level reflective writing compared to Bachelors, this will require some adjustment, feedback and writing strategies were given in lectures as well as marking rubrics. Support and feedback provided to help students make the transition in this first Masters term from the Bachelors programme. A lecture and suggested templates / tables to help complete all of the reflective steps has been provided to help students make this transition.

Feedback from Student Feedback

Feedback

More time to practice techniques/adjustments.

Recommendation

Additional technique practice time has been allocated and dedicated to technique practice. Also male and female tutors available in these sessions to help as many students as possible. Continue to ring fence technique time and ensure broad tutor availability.

Feedback from Student Feedback

Feedback

A focus on competency based tests rather than OSCE's at the end of the semester; to give a better chance to develop clinical skills over a more prolonged period of time.

Recommendation

Additional competency based assessment is being continually refined to make it as effective as possible.

Feedback from Student Feedback

Feedback

Continue Clinical Placement, 4 weeks are definitely the highlight of the semester for many students.

Recommendation

Placement programme and scope is constantly expanding as the student numbers grow we are now able to offer placement opportunities in all states and territories.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Develop, refine and integrate problem solving skills through clinical assessment, decision making and management at an intermediate level.
  2. Display behaviour appropriate to a professional health care provider, including ethical practice management and upholding the professional code of conduct.
  3. Demonstrate empathetic communication skills in the practitioner-patient relationship, and other professional and personal relationships.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to integrate sustainably within the broader health care system, including responsible use of health care resources, the ability to collaborate with other health care disciplines, and the employment of health promotion and preventative strategies through community education.

On successful completion of this unit you will meet certain CCEA requirements that will progress you towards applying for registration as a chiropractor in Australia.

The Learning Outcomes build towards CCEA’s Accreditation Standard 4.4.3 regarding Clinical Sciences.

This unit is designed to contribute towards you having adequate and early patient experiences and opportunities to acquire sufficient clinical knowledge, skills, and attitudes to assume appropriate clinical responsibility upon graduation.

It provides early, supervised patient contact leading to participation in patient care. Your clinical skills training includes physical, clinical and lab diagnosis, mental health assessment, orthopaedics, gynaecology, obstetrics, paediatrics, geriatrics, dermatology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging procedures and interpretation, nutrition, rehabilitation, ergonomics, pharmacology (a working knowledge of commonly used medications and pharmaceuticals), and other appropriate subjects. Clinical skills include history taking, physical examination, spinal analysis, mental health assessment, first aid and emergency procedures, manual techniques, physical therapies (such as heat, cold, bracing, electrical therapies, etc.), and other treatment procedures, communication, leadership skills, etc. Appropriate clinical responsibility would include physical and mental health promotion, disease prevention and patient care, for the child, adolescent, adult, geriatric and medically compromised patient. Participation in patient care would include relevant community experience and teamwork with other health professions.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Portfolio - 60%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - Examination - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Portfolio - 60%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - Examination - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Brukner & Khan's Clinical Sports Medicine: Injuries

Edition: 5th ed (2017)
McGraw-Hill Education
AU
ISBN: 9781760421663
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Rehabilitation of the Spine A Practitioner's Manual

2nd Edition (2007)
Authors: Craig Liebenson
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
US
ISBN: 9780781729970
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

Either copy can be purchased the CQUni Bookshop here: http://boookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code).

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Dane Unit Coordinator
a.dane@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition (11 Lectures and 6 2hr Tutorials)

Chapter

Outline & Thoracic Spine

Outline & History Taking & Competencies

Rehabilitation Introduction & Stages of Rehabilitation

Introduction to Nutrition / Introduction to diary expectations

Events and Submissions/Topic




Six 2hr tutorials with in 'class' activities / submissions.  

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Thoracic Spine

Clinical Examination (orthopaedics and neurology) & Competencies

Biopsychosocial model

Food and its components 1: macronutrients / Time to execute diary

Events and Submissions/Topic




Nutrition - no submission - Time required to execute diary

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Cervical Spine

Diagnosis & Competencies

Lewit & Janda

Food and its components 2 / Reflection on experience of keeping a nutritional diary

Events and Submissions/Topic




Nutrition - In class activity submission - Forum post reflection on experience of keeping a nutritional diary

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Cervical Spine

Case Summary and Presentation (Outcome Measures, Guidelines & Prognosis) & Competencies

Soft tissue therapy

Food and its components 3: micronutrients / Diary data results

Events and Submissions/Topic




Nutrition - In class activity submission - forum post data results

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Lumbopelvic (Leg-Length)

Report of Findings & Competencies

Models of Rehabilitation

Categorising food in terms of nutrient content

Events and Submissions/Topic




Nutrition - In class activity submission - forum post analysis of findings and suggested changes recommended.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Placement


Chapter

Categorising food in terms of healthy diets

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Placement


Chapter

Nutrition through the lifecycle: pregnancy and lactation

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

Placement


Chapter

Nutrition through the lifecycle: infancy and childhood

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Placement


Chapter

Nutrition through the lifecycle: prevention of chronic disease in adulthood

Events and Submissions/Topic

Placement requirement submitted (log sheet) 

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Lumbopelvic (Mechanical Dropping)

Competencies

Functional Assessment (FMS, MAT)

Nutrition through the lifecycle: the elderly

Events and Submissions/Topic




Nutrition - In class activity submission - 3 minute oral presentations


Clinical Placement Due: Week 10 Friday (24 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Chiropractic Technique

Case Work & Clinical Competencies

Rehabilitation

Clinical Nutrition

Chapter

Lumbopelvic (Coccyx & Symphysis)

Competencies

Ergonomics, Neurodynamics

Nutrition tools

Events and Submissions/Topic

Submit Portfolio (Competencies & Reflective Portfolio)



Nutrition - In class activity submission - 3 minute oral presentations


Portfolio Due: Week 11 Friday (31 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Review

Chapter

Review

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

Portfolio 60% (A: Reflective Journal (30%), B:Clinical Competencies (30%), C: Nutrition in class activity (pass/fail))

A Clinical Competencies

Each competency will be assessed on a pass/fail (competent / not yet competent) basis, students must achieve 65% in each to be deemed competent.

Competencies can be completed during the practical class or be recorded and submitted as a video. (NB. Technique competencies must be completed in class under supervision. Competencies should be completed on a regular / weekly basis).

Each student should achieve 65% or greater in all summative competencies to achieve 30%. If students are not deemed competent or do not complete the listed summative competencies – that proportion will be deducted from their 30% portfolio percentage.

Competencies can be attempted as many times as is possible, students are encouraged to try competencies as many times as possible and learn from the feedback provided. A list of the required competencies can be found on the Moodle page and in the unit introduction.

B. Reflective Journal

Six (6) Reflective Observations – Ongoing weeks 1 to 11, MSc Feedback involves student self reflection and self improvement.

Reflections should take place along side the competencies and other work within the CP1 unit.

Reflection can be on any aspect of your course that you are having difficulty with, templates and outlines of what is expected by Masters Reflection are provided.

C. Nutrition

In class activities (ICA) are included in the nutrition stream of CP1, 80% attendance / participation is required to successfully pass the unit. A food diary exercise runs across the six 2hr tutorials and each student is required to:

Tutorial 1: introduction to diary expectations/process

Tutorial 2: nil as require time to execute diary

Tutorial 3: ICA forum post – reflection piece on experience of keeping diary

Tutorial 4: ICA nutrition forum post – data results

Tutorial 5: ICA nutrition forum post – analysis of findings and suggested changes to be recommended

Tutorial 5/6: ICA oral presentations – 3 mins

Further details of this in class activity will be explained at the first tutorial and will be made available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (31 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019)

Close of Business


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

Marking Rubrics are provided on the CP1 Moodle page and templates and suggested models are available. Ensure all steps of reflection are attempted / completed. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Mahara url submission / Copies of the marked competencies scanned and submitted

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop, refine and integrate problem solving skills through clinical assessment, decision making and management at an intermediate level.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate sustainably within the broader health care system, including responsible use of health care resources, the ability to collaborate with other health care disciplines, and the employment of health promotion and preventative strategies through community education.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

2 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Clinical Placement

Task Description

At CQU, we feel it is very important to engage with chiropractors in the field so that our students are exposed to real clinical experiences. Accreditation bodies acknowledge the benefits of preparing students for industry. CQUniversity students have to complete 200hrs over two external clinical placements during the 1st year of their Master’s Degree, to help them graduate practice ready. Placement is a Pass/Fail assessment component and each student must complete the required 100 hours for CP1. Placement will be assessed on Professionalism (dress code, behavior and time keeping). 


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (24 May 2019) 5:00 pm AEST

Submitted Log sheet


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019)

COB


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Placement is a Pass/Fail assessment component and each student must complete the required 100 hours. Placement will be assessed on Professionalism (dress code, behavior and time keeping).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop, refine and integrate problem solving skills through clinical assessment, decision making and management at an intermediate level.
  • Display behaviour appropriate to a professional health care provider, including ethical practice management and upholding the professional code of conduct.
  • Demonstrate empathetic communication skills in the practitioner-patient relationship, and other professional and personal relationships.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate sustainably within the broader health care system, including responsible use of health care resources, the ability to collaborate with other health care disciplines, and the employment of health promotion and preventative strategies through community education.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
40%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?