Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Julia Hush julia.hush@mq.edu.au Contact via julia.hush@mq.edu.au Lecturer Karen Peebles karen.peebles@mq.edu.au Contact via karen.peebles@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites PHTY800 and PHTY801 and PHTY802 and PHTY803
Corequisites	Corequisites PHTY805 and PHTY806 and PHTY 807
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit introduces students to the principles underpinning and practice of evidence-based health care, whereby research evidence is integrated with clinical expertise and patients' values. Specifically, students will learn how to formulate clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, and locate and critically appraise relevant high-quality evidence to answer those questions. This unit provides an evidence-based framework for concurrent and future units of study and is embedded in the curriculum to enhance life-long learning skills. By integration with a clinical component, students will develop foundational skills in how to implement evidence-based health care in clinical practice.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Written assignment	30%	Weeks 5-12
HAWC Seminar	30%	Weeks 10-13
HAWC Report	40%	End Semester Exam Period

Written assignment

Due: Weeks 5-12
Weighting: 30%

For this assessment task students will work in pairs to complete a Health Condition Worksheet, on one health condition that they chose from a list provided of common health conditions.

Part 1 due: 5pm Friday, 4^th April (Week 5) - 20%

Part 2 due: 5pm Friday 6^th June (Week 12) - 10%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.

HAWC Seminar

Due: Weeks 10-13
Weighting: 30%

In the designated tutorial, each student will have 8 minutes (6’ presentation + 2’ discussion) to present his or her HAWC Seminar. In the seminar, students will present an overview of their HAWC’s health condition and summarise the best evidence they can locate.

In preparing for the seminar, students will complete their Critical Appraisal Summary (CAS) for the treatment they have investigated. The completed CAS will be submitted at the time of the seminar, together with the research paper that the CAS is based on. Marks are allocated for both the presentation component of the seminar (15%) and the written evidence (CAS and paper) (15%).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

HAWC Report

Due: End Semester Exam Period
Weighting: 40%

In this assessment task students are required to submit your HAWC Report, which will consist of the following 3 components:

1. HAWC Activity Log (4 marks)

2. HAWC Clinical Observation Report (6 marks)

3. Evidence-Based Reflection of HAWC (30 marks)

On successful completion you will be able to:

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Delivery and Resources

Technology and Equipment

Teaching rooms are equipped with state of the art audio-visual and ICT equipment, inlcuding:

Laptops (1 per student pair)
Wireless internet connection
High quality video cameras
Mutliple LCD screens

Textbook:

The recommended textbook for this unit is Herbert et al "Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy", 2nd edition. Copies of this book are available in the MQ library and in the co-op bookshop.

Assessment and Standards

Specific details for each assessment task will be provided on iLearn.

Note: To pass this unit, students must complete all assessments and receive a total mark of at least 50%.

iLearn: This unit's iLearn site will provide weekly resources for students, including:

lecture notes
tutorial worksheets
preparation and consolidation material
other EHC resources
assessment details

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

EHC lectures will provide foundation knowledge, demonstration of EBH skills and will use large groups discussions.

Tutorials

EBH tutorials are designed to help students develop fundamental skills in each of the three key EHC topics: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Critically Appraised Summaries

Throughout semester students will prepare three Critically Appraised Summaries, one each for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

HAWCs

Integrated into this unit is the HAWC program (70 hours) so that students will have opportunities to apply their EHC skills to real clinical cases.

Health Condition Worksheet

Students will apply their EHC skills to complete the Health Condition Worksheets for common conditions managed by physiotherapists. These will provide work-ready EHC guides for students prior to commencing theur clinical placements the following semester.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Seminar
HAWC Report

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Seminar
HAWC Report

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate competency in using electronic resources to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Seminar
HAWC Report

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Seminar
HAWC Report

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Report

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate competency in formulating relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek physiotherapy care.
Critically appraise relevant research to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Describe and demonstrate practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice.
Apply evidence-based health care knowledge and skills to concurrent units of study and commence development of evidence summaries relevant to physiotherapy health care.
Demonstrate effective communication and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care while observing, recording and monitoring volunteers from the Health and Wellbeing Collaboration (HAWCs).

Assessment tasks

Written assignment
HAWC Seminar
HAWC Report