Overview
This unit provides a structured programme of study facilitating the development of increased competence in the critical application of advanced communication skills in clinical practice. You will learn about the theoretical principles underpinning advanced communication, undertake a review of literature in the field, develop advanced communication skills, and critically reflect on their application, in order to improve the information and support you provide to patients, students, peers and other health professionals. Areas covered will include responding to challenging situations, effective communication with students, self awareness when interacting with patients and report writing.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
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 - 2018
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).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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
The tutorial sessions were of great benefit, gave the opportunity to discuss areas uncertain about.
Zoom tutorial sessions were well appreciated. They need to be continued. One problem was the time of 7 pm AEST which was 5 pm in the west. 2 students could not regularly attend the sessions. It is difficult to choose a time appropriate for students in WA as it would be too late in the east.
Feedback from Student feedback
Assessments were marked SUPER FAST well ahead of the date, with great feedback also.
By staggering the assessment items more time was available for marking and feedback. This may be continued.
Feedback from Student feedback
The assessment tasks did not match the marking criteria and need to be better explained.
The marking criteria and rubric will be improved and better explained.
Feedback from Student feedback
The second assessment could probably be submitted before the portfolio (1st assessment) as the course material and discussion about difficult patients was covered early in the term, and the report writing and supervision in the latter half.
The assessment items will be switched on next offering.
- Critically reflect upon and evaluate your own use of advanced communication within clinical practice.
- Create reasoned plans for advanced communication in challenging situations based on an analysis of the relevant literature.
- Apply knowledge of advanced communication to situations involving clients, students and other health professionals and discuss the outcome.
- Construct written reports which interpret patient findings and discuss recommendations based on information from case studies undertaken .
This masters unit does not lead to entry into the sonography or echocardiography profession. It is for advanced practice by qualified practitioners. As such it does not require external accreditation but we will be seeking approval for the course from the accrediting body, the ASAR.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
2 - Portfolio - 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 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 60% | ||||||||
2 - Portfolio - 40% |
Textbooks
Communication - core interpersonal skills for health professionals
Edition: 3rd (2017)
Authors: Gjyn O'Toole
elsevier
Chatswood Chatswood , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780729542449
Binding: Other
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.aziz@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Welcome to advanced communications in health professions.
- Introduction.
- Need for effective communication
-
Therapeutic communication.
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 7/3/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Communication skills in dealing with patients.
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Start work on portfolio
Start work on written assignment
Module/Topic
The "difficult patient" and breaking bad news.
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 21/3/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Communication with other health professionals.
- Radiologist
- Referrers
- Other sonographers
- Other health professionals
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Communication with general public, media and specific forums - ethical and legal issues.
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 4/4/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Revision / self study
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Communication with students.
- Mentoring
-
Supervision
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Effective communication as a supervisor
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 25/4/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Written communication:
- Worksheets
- Verbal communication
- Duty of care
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Written communication:
- Report writing
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 9/5/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Written communication and report writing:
- Mandatory reporting
- Ethical issues
- Legal issues
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Written communication:
- Publication
- Journal articles
- Case reports
- Abstracts
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Miscommunication
- Resolution of conflicts
- Consequences
- Case studies
Chapter
Online readings
Video lectures
Events and Submissions/Topic
Portfolio Due: Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Revision / Self study
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial (Zoom) - Wednesday 6/6/18 - 7:00 pm (AEST Queensland time) - Repeat at 7:00 pm (AWST Perth time)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The unit coordinator for MEDS20005 is Dr. Aamer Aziz who is based on the Mackay campus. The best way to contact Aamer is via email: a.aziz@cqu.edu.au. You may also phone: 07 4940 7478, however, some days he is busy in ultrasound labs on the Mackay campus. If not available, please leave a message or email for him to return your call.
Access to the internet is required to undertake this unit, as unit materials, tutorials and updates will be provided via Moodle, email, and zoom. It is important to check your student CQU emails regularly as emails will be sent each week to keep you on track, and if any supplementary material is required, this can be updated on Moodle site and emails will be sent to you to let you know if any changes have been made.
We are using the prescribed text for this unit:
- O'Toole, Gjyn (2012). Communication: core interpersonal skills for health professionals (2nd ed). Chatswood, N.S.W. Elsevier Australia
Another book that assists in the understanding of research is:
- Polga, Stephen and Thomas, Shane A. (2013). Introduction to research in the Health Sciences (6th ed). Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Tutorials are scheduled throughout the term. These will be undertaken via zoom. Please note these are scheduled for 7:00 pm AEST QLD time (5:00 pm AWST WA time) on Wednesdays and will be repeated on the same day 2 hours later at 9:00 pm AEST QLD time (7:00 pm AWST WA time) . All of the zoom tutorials will be recorded for later viewing but it is strongly recommended that you try to attend the live sessions. If there is something you would like discussed in the tutorials, please email in advance so we can allow time for your topic to be discussed.
There is no residential school for this unit. Students must successfully pass each individual assessment item in order to pass the unit.
1 Presentation and Written Assessment
Assessment task:
Critically reflect upon and evaluate your own use of advanced communication within clinical practice and create reasoned plans for advanced communication in challenging situations based on an analysis of the relevant literature. Apply knowledge of advanced communication to situations involving clients, students or other health professionals and discuss the outcome.
From your clinical experience take an example of a "difficult patient", a significant interaction with a problem student or with another health professional that you have encountered in the past and narrate your interaction and communication.
Narrate a significant conversation under the following headings (you can include more headings as you may deem necessary):
- Describe the incident/event - What happened?
- Identify emotions and issues - Why it happened?
- Review the related literature to analyse what happened - Do other people have similar problems?
- Suggest best practice in light of evidence - How did others solve the problem?
- Create a reasoned plan for future communication in similar significant circumstances - How would you deal with it?
This is a written assessment with a maximum limit of 4000 words (including the title and references).
One part of the assessment is the presentation. This can be a short video illustrating an aspect of the assessment (initial incident, final outcome etc). This can be an oral audio or video narrative or a role play. You can also use a "voice over powerpoint" presentation or any other multimedia format you may find interesting. Be creative in your presentation. This carries 10 marks and is an essential part of the assessment. Some of the files may be too big or in a format that cannot be uploaded on the moodle. Please don't leave it to the last minute and give yourself enough time for troubleshooting. If the files cannot be uploaded to the Moodle, contact the unit coordinator so that the file can be transferred by other means.
Week 10 Monday (14 May 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Online submission of all materials (or as negotiated with unit coordinator)
Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018)
Assessment returned in 2 weeks after due date
You must ask yourself the following:
- Is the introduction to the case engaging to the audience?
- Is the description of the case clear and concise whilst giving all the relevant background information?
- Have you critically reflected upon and evaluated your own use of advanced communication within clinical practice?
- Does the analysis of the case demonstrate academic rigour, depth and insight?
- Do your reflections on your own performance, practice and any feedback received demonstrate insight? Have you described a plan for performance improvement?
- Have you created reasoned plans for advanced communication in challenging situations based on an analysis of the relevant literature?
- Have you applied knowledge of advanced communication to situations involving clients, students and other health professionals and discussed the outcome of strategies used in the communication? (You may have to apply knowledge of advanced communications to situations involving clients, students and other health professionals. Analyse how you have (or would) initiate the discussion using advanced communication strategies/knowledge/criteria. Evaluate the process and address problems encountered and things you perceived you did well. Discuss the outcome).
- Is the conclusion concise and clear in its evaluation and summary of the significance of the communication pitfalls and in its vision for your performance development?
- Last, but not the least, check the manuscript for spellings, grammar and appropriate use of language. You can take help from academic learning centre.
This assessment must be submitted with all client's identifying factors removed. Identifying factors include such things as patient name, date of birth and clinical site name (or the name of the student or other health practitioners) for example.
You must achieve a pass mark of 50% to pass this assessment, and you must pass this assessment to pass the unit.
Further details and marking rubric is available on the Moodle page.
- Critically reflect upon and evaluate your own use of advanced communication within clinical practice.
- Create reasoned plans for advanced communication in challenging situations based on an analysis of the relevant literature.
- Apply knowledge of advanced communication to situations involving clients, students and other health professionals and discuss the outcome.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
2 Portfolio
You will create a portfolio of clinical report writing in this assessment - you will construct written reports which effectively communicate an interpretation of patient findings to referrers and other health professionals.
Report Writing: Submit 3 normal and 7 abnormal cases with relevant key images in jpg format (not the whole study), sonographer's worksheet and full written report. The reports should be professional, comprehensive, precise, discuss the clinical indications, relevant history, scanning techniques, imaging findings, probable diagnosis, differential diagnosis, recommendations and advice regarding other imaging modalities (Based on the RANZCR recommendations). You can use cases from your routine clinical practice, or borrow studies from other colleagues. There is no restriction on the type of patients. Please be sure to anonymize the patients completely. At least 2 of the cases should be "Urgent". Please note that these are not "case reports", but clinical interpretative reports that radiologists usually write as a result of a sonographic examination.
Week 12 Monday (28 May 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Online submission (or as negotiated with unit coordinator)
Exam Week Monday (11 June 2018)
Returned in 2 weeks after the due date.
The Assessment Criteria will address the following areas of your performance:
- Patient care and communication.
- Knowledge of duty of care and best practice as a sonographer.
- Recognition and understanding of the relevant rules and laws governing effective communication.
- Ability to recognize the need to extend the clinical communication where appropriate.
- Accurate documentation and communication of findings.
Please check the manuscript for spelling and grammar mistakes and make sure that appropriate language has been used.
Marks are equally divided into 10 reports (3 normal and 7 abnormal cases - 10% each report).
Detailed Assessment Criteria and marking rubric will be available on this Unit's Moodle site.
- Apply knowledge of advanced communication to situations involving clients, students and other health professionals and discuss the outcome.
- Construct written reports which interpret patient findings and discuss recommendations based on information from case studies undertaken .
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
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.