CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC20013 Primary Healthcare 2
Primary Healthcare 2
All details in this unit profile for PMSC20013 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

This unit provides you with the physical examination skills and knowledge of pharmacology needed for functioning as a paramedic with a primary healthcare focus and the assessment of patients with chronic diseases and non-acute complaints. You will learn advanced physical examination techniques, clinical treatments and procedural skills for the diagnosis and continual management of a patient's medical care. Critical thinking and analysis focused on evidence-based medicine and best practice will be covered to integrate decision making and clinical judgement into the use of clinical procedures. Additionally, you will be introduced to concepts and decision making processes relevant to short term pharmacology treatments and review of in-home medications.

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

Pre-requisite: PMSC20012 Primary Healthcare 1

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 2 - 2022

No offerings for PMSC20013

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

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. Written Assessment
Weighting: 70%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Report
Weighting: 30%

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.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate and document advanced clinical physical examination and assessment skills for the diagnosis of common chronic and low acuity disease states
  2. Formulate and critically evaluate management plans for patient care
  3. Implement advanced clinical treatment including procedural skills in the management of common chronic and low acuity disease states
  4. Integrate pharmacology into patient care as required
  5. Review a patient's medications to identify potential issues for referral to their primary healthcare provider.

A Graduate Diploma is now the standard requirement for many State ambulance services for advanced positions in the paramedic field. An emphasis has been placed on preferred candidates exceeding this requirement with a Masters degree for many new positions such as the Paramedic Practitioner.

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 5
1 - Written Assessment - 70%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Report - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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 - Written Assessment - 70%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Report - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Murtagh's general practice - companion handbook

Edition: 8th (2021)
Authors: John Murtagh
McGraw Hill Education
North Ryde North Ryde , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781743768266
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

This book is available to view online at the CQUni Library website. If you would prefer your own copy, you can purchase one at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.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: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Kirsty Shearer Unit Coordinator
k.shearer@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

General assessment & management 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

General assessment & management 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Focused assessment & management - HEENT 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Focused assessment & management - HEENT 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Focused assessment & management - cardiac & respiratory

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Focused assessment & management - GIT/renal/endocrine

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Focused assessment & management - integumentary/musculoskeletal

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Wound assessment & management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written assessment Due: Week 8 Friday (9 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Infection assessment & management & immunity/immunisation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Pharmacology - pain management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Pharmacology - general

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Report Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written assessment

Task Description

You are to select two (2) clinical cases that you have personally been involved in during your current clinical practice that have a primary care or low acuity perspective.

For each case, you are to write up a comprehensive reflective case study encompassing (but not limited to) the following components:

  • Background – age, gender, clinical & social history
  • A review of patient presentation, including chief complaint
  • Physical assessment findings
  • In-depth review of medications (prescribed & over-the-counter)
  • Treatment offered at the time of your attendance
  • Reflection upon and recommendation of potential alternate assessment and/or treatment interventions
  • Patient disposition (actual) versus potential alternate referral options (from a primary care/low acuity expanded scope of practice viewpoint)

While much of the information you present will be straightforward, it is important to reflect on key areas of the cases. For instance, while reviewing the medications – how do you think they correlate with the past medical history? Are there any overlapping medications? Are there any unnecessary ones? Were there any issues with patient compliance? When it comes to your treatment, in particular, you need to consider whether there may have been suitable alternatives to care that, given your new scope of practice, would have been more suitable for the patient’s presentation. If you are introducing a new product or skill, support your justification with evidence from the literature. Finally, when you are reflecting on the patient disposition, where did you actually take the patient, and may there have been suitable alternatives in light of your new knowledge?

The expected word count is 3000 words (+/- 10%) per case study (6000 words +/- 10% total).


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (9 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (23 Sept 2022)


Weighting
70%

Minimum mark or grade
A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved on this assessment

Assessment Criteria

This assessment is worth 70% of your overall mark for this unit.

Each reflective case study will be assessed on the following criteria:

Overall presentation

  • Organisation of presentation/layout
  • Writing mechanics
  • Formatting
  • Referencing

Content

  • Thoroughness of history (background & patient presentation)
  • Thoroughness of physical examination
  • Discussion of and reflection upon current pharmacology
  • Discussion of and reflection upon treatment administered
  • Recommendations regarding potential assessment/treatment interventions
  • Discussion of patient disposition


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please save/upload your file in a Word format (.doc or .docx)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Formulate and critically evaluate management plans for patient care
  • Integrate pharmacology into patient care as required
  • Review a patient's medications to identify potential issues for referral to their primary healthcare provider.


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

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical assessment

Task Description

During the compulsory residential school for this unit, you will need to complete a practical assessment where you will be evaluated on your procedural and declarative knowledge of the various assessments, skills and pharmacology learned throughout this unit. You will be assessed via a structured scenario involving comprehensive assessment and management of a patient presenting with a primary care or low acuity issue or issues.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (7 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

This assessment will occur during the compulsory residential school


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)

Feedback will be uploaded to the unit Moodle page within two weeks


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

The practical assessment will be assessed in line with the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page. In the event of a critical error or fail grade in your first attempt, you will be allowed a second attempt. A critical error or fail grade in the second attempt will result in a fail for this assessment.

If a critical error occurs during your assessment the assessment will immediately cease; no marks will be given resulting in a failed attempt. Critical errors in this assessment will be classed as:

  • Any action or inaction which causes immediate harm to yourself, partner, patient or bystanders;
  • Failure to assess or address issues of the primary survey;
  • Unsafe use of monitor/defibrillator;
  • Unsafe drug administration;
  • Unsafe work practices; or
  • Incorrect treatment for patient presentation.

This assessment is a PASS/FAIL task.

In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete this assessment after the compulsory residential school for this unit.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate and document advanced clinical physical examination and assessment skills for the diagnosis of common chronic and low acuity disease states
  • Formulate and critically evaluate management plans for patient care
  • Implement advanced clinical treatment including procedural skills in the management of common chronic and low acuity disease states
  • Integrate pharmacology into patient care as required


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

3 Report

Assessment Title
Report

Task Description

Following on from your practical assessment, you will be required to document a comprehensive case report (attendance record), outlining your patient assessment, management and discharge from your care. It should be written in an organised manner as though it is a document that you would send to the patient’s general practitioner (GP).

This should encompass (but not be limited to) the following components:

  • Background – age, gender, clinical & social history
  • A review of patient presentation, including chief complaint
  • Physical assessment findings
  • Review of medications (prescribed & over-the-counter)
  • Treatment offered at the time of your attendance
  • Patient disposition including referral options (from a primary care/low acuity expanded scope of practice viewpoint).

A case report template and completed exemplar are provided on the unit Moodle page.

The case report should be succinct and be of no more than 1500 words.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Friday (14 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

The final case report must be uploaded within one week of the conclusion of the residential school


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (21 Oct 2022)

Feedback will be uploaded to the unit Moodle page within one week


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved on this assessment

Assessment Criteria

The case report will be marked according to the rubric provided on the unit Moodle page.

The case report will be assessed on the following criteria:

Overall presentation

  • Organisation of presentation/layout
  • Writing mechanics
  • Formatting

Content

  • Thoroughness of history (background & patient presentation)
  • Thoroughness of physical examination
  • Discussion of current medications
  • Details of assessment/treatment interventions
  • Plan for patient disposition

This assessment is worth 30% of the overall mark for this unit.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please save/upload your file in a Word format (.doc or .docx)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate and document advanced clinical physical examination and assessment skills for the diagnosis of common chronic and low acuity disease states
  • Review a patient's medications to identify potential issues for referral to their primary healthcare provider.


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

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?