Clinical case studies are a valuable tools used by health professionals to simulate authentic situations to enable the application of knowledge to develop clinical reasoning to complex problems.  Clinical case studies allow the practitioner to consider the case, research and reflect without pressure and constraints. 

In this unit there are two clinical case studies, each of the case studies will focus on a different complex clinical presentation. You will be required to answer the clinical questions and discuss the use of relevant paramedic procedures and skills. Your response must be academic and supported by evidence. 

Each clinical case study is to be 500 words (+/- 10%).

Each clinical case study is worth 25%.

Clinical case study ONE- Due Monday 7th August 0900.

Clinical case study TWO- Due Monday 4th September 0900.

See Moodle page for case study questions. 

You will be required to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge through a clinical case study.

The word limit for this assessment is 500 words (+/-10%, not including cover page, headings, in-text references and reference page).

You will be assessed against the following criteria, see rubric on Moodle page.

Assessment Criteria:

Quality of information: Comprehensively addressed all elements of the discussion question (20 marks).

Evidence-based critical thinking: Demonstrated critical thinking and decision-making, utlising contemporary evidence and current clinical practice to support the response (10 marks). 

Academic writing: Demonstrated appropriate grammar and sentence structure. Utilised language and dialogue that is expected and appropriate for the health profession. Adhered to word count and presentation requirements (10 marks).

Referencing: Utilised quality information sources including intext references. Reference list with a minimum of 5 quality journal sources. Intext referencing and reference list in accordance with APA7 referencing (10 marks). 

Presentation:

Your assessment should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm. Arial font (or similar) and size set to 11-12 point, and line spacing set to 1.5.

Please submit in PDF format. 

Format:

Cover page: a cover page must be included for this assessment in the following format:

• Assessment name

• Unit number and name

• Your name

• Student number

• Word count (not including cover page, headings, in-text references and reference page)

• Assessment due date (if you have an approved extension this needs to be noted here)

• Appropriately referenced using the APA 7th Edition format

Reference page:

• The reference list must be on a separate page at the end of your assessment

• References must be listed using the APA 7th Edition format

You must provide a reference list of no less than 5 peer reviewed scientific journal articles published after 2012. Subsequent resources can include Australian and/or New Zealand ambulance service guidelines, expert textbooks and websites, as appropriate. Whilst you may refer to ambulance service guidelines, do not overuse them or use them as your primary source of evidence. Ensure you are predominantly using recent peer reviewed journal articles (minimum 5).

The assessment will be marked against a rubric, which will be available on the Moodle page.

In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with the Assessment Policy and Procedure.

You must attempt all assessments to pass this unit.

The safe and competent performance of medical procedures and skills forms a core aspect of paramedic practice. Paramedics must posses the theoretical knowledge underpinning these skills whilst also able to apply them to a safe standard. This practical assessment will be conducted using a variety of platforms, including written short answer quiz, skill station and voice viva. There are six (6) elements of assessment; a short answer quiz and five (5) skill stations. The skill station may assess one, or a combination of skills with verbal questions relating to that skill. These skill stations are designed to asses knowledge and practical application of paramedic skills. Each skill station will be 5 -10 minute duration.

Internal students will complete all assessment during Week 8 on Tuesday 5th September. 

Mixed mode students will undertake the 15-minute short answer assessment on the first day of residential school. This is the first of six assessments. On the final day of residential school students will undertake five skill stations.

The practical assessment is Pass/Fail.

Students are required to demonstrate their competence by passing four (4) out of six (6) assessments. Students who fail by one element (passing three out of six) will be offered one reattempt in order to resolve any doubt of their safe and competent performance. If a student fails the reattempt they will receive a fail for their practical assessment and fail the unit. If a student does not achieve a pass in three out of six assessments they are not eligible for a reattempt.

The assessment will be marked in accordance to rubrics specific to the skill station. The rubric will assess the articulation of theoretical knowledge of the skills and the safe and competent demonstration of each component in a timely manner. Points will be allocated to each step of the correct performance of the skill. An example rubric is available on the Moodle page. 

Critical errors:

Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything, by act or omission, that causes immediate harm or the potential to cause harm, to yourself, partner, patient or bystanders or any procedure that is performed outside your scope of practice. During any form of assessment, if any of the following are witnessed, no marks will be given for that assessment. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will also result in no marks being given for that particular assessment:

· Unsafe defibrillation

· Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm

· Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest (>1minute)

· Failure to shock a shockable rhythm in a timely manner (>2 minutes)

· Failure to perform a complete drug check, including dose, volume and contraindications

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp

· Performing a skill or procedure or administering a drug outside your scope of practice

· Any grossly unsafe practice, as determined by the assessing academic.

If you do not understand any of the above, please do not hesitate to clarify with your unit coordinator.

The safe application of procedures and skills in a clinical setting must be underpinned by theoretical knowledge. The ability to rapidly recall indications, contraindications and complications of procedures and skills is imperative for safe paramedic practice. The online quiz will assess knowledge and understanding of the procedures and skills taught within the unit.

The online quiz will assess content from PMSC12001 from Weeks 1-11.

The quiz will open in Week 12 on Monday 2nd October 0900 and close Monday 9th October 0900.

You will only receive one attempt at the quiz.

• Time allocation of 60 minutes to complete the quiz.
• There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer and diagrams. 
• You will only be given one attempt.
• When the due date expires, any open attempts are automatically submitted; you must therefore start the quiz before that deadline or you will not receive your full time period. 
• This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.
• No late submissions will be accepted and the test will close and become unavailable after the due date and time.
• In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the test after this date. 
• If you have any technical issues you must notify the unit coordinator immediately