Students

PHTY8104 – Evidence-based Healthcare

2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Cliffton Chan
Contact via Contact via email
75T, Ground Floor
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Tutor
Kelly Gray
Contact via Contact via email
75T, Ground Floor
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Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(PHTY800 or PHTY8100) and (PHTY801 or PHTY8101) and (PHTY802 or PHTY8102) and (PHTY8103 or PHTY803 or MEDI915 or MEDI8105)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit will introduce you to the principles underpinning the practice of evidence-based health care, whereby research evidence is integrated with clinical expertise and clients' / patients' values. Specifically, you will learn how to formulate clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, and locate and critically appraise relevant evidence to answer those questions. This unit will provide you with an evidence-based framework for concurrent and future units to enhance communication, reflection and life-long learning skills. Through integration with students within the Doctor of Medicine you will undertake an interprofessional community-based clinical component, developing 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:

  • ULO1: Critically appraise relevant research using standardised checklists to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Competently formulate relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek healthcare (Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Apply knowledge and skills in evidence-based healthcare to develop relevant written reports and critically appraise topic reviews which meet academic writing and referencing standards (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO4: Competently use electronic resources to search health and medical literature to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO5: Discuss practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice (Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO6: Explain how psychological, social and cultural issues affect the health of individuals and populations and how diversity can be respected within the context of evidence-based healthcare (Engaged Global Citizen)
  • ULO7: Participate effectively in classes and peer teams, by seeking and reflecting upon feedback on own your performance to generate strategies that optimise individual and team performance (Professional)
  • ULO8: Communicate and behave effectively and professionally in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care whilst undertaking community clinical placement activities. (Professional)

General Assessment Information

To pass this unit, you must have demonstrated sufficient evidence of achievement of the unit learning outcomes and obtained a minimum pass grade for the Clinical Placement Logbook assessment as this is a hurdle assessment.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn, including marking rubrics.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor. Students will be awarded a final grade, which corresponds to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128). The final grade awarded is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements including professionalism, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better."

 

Grading of Assessments

You will receive a grade for each assessment within this unit. The grades awarded will reflect a holistic evaluation of the work against the criteria outlined within the corresponding assessment rubric. Numerical marks will be calculated for each assessment based on the following percentages, and rounded to the nearest full mark:

  • High distinction (HD) – 95%
  • Distinction (D) – 80%
  • Credit (C) – 70%
  • Pass (P) – 60%
  • Pass minus (P-) - 50%
  • Fail (F) – 40%

Hurdle Assessment

The PHTY8104 Clinical Placement Logbook is a hurdle assessment task. A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing the unit in which it occurs. Students are required to achieve a PASS of the Clinical Placement Logbook to successfully complete the unit. A student who has obtained a SNG over 50, yet failed the hurdle assessment, cannot pass the unit. Please see Macquarie University's assessment policy for more information about hurdle assessment tasks.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks

Applications for assessment task extensions may be considered for short-term, unexpected, serious, and unavoidable circumstances affecting assessment. Applications must be submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Special Considerations Policy. You can also find out more on the MQ Student Portal at the following link: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Should you encounter any personal issues or concerns in regard to health and wellbeing during your studies you can also gain personal support and advice on campus. Please see the following link for further information: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/personal

Late Submission of Work

All assignments which are officially received after the due date, and where no extension has been granted by the Unit Convenor, will incur a deduction of 5% of the overall assessment weighting for the first day, and 5% for each subsequent day, including the actual day on which the work is received. Assessments received 5 days or more beyond the due date, without an approved extension, will be awarded a maximum of 50% of the overall assessment marks. Weekends and public holidays are included. For example:

Due Date

Received

Days Late

Deduction

Raw Mark

Final Mark

Friday, 14th

Monday 17th

3

15%

75

60

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Clinical Education Simulation and Reflection - Part 1 40% No Week 6
Clinical Education Simulation and Reflection - Part 2 40% No Week 10
Clinical Reflection Report 20% No Week 13
Clinical Placement Logbook 0% Yes Week 14

Clinical Education Simulation and Reflection - Part 1

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 40%

 

This assessment task will involve submitting an audio or video where you will simulate being a future clinician educating your HAWC volunteer about their condition with a focus on their diagnosis and prognosis. In a written reflection, you will evaluate the alignment between the health care journey of the your HAWC volunteer and the best available evidence.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise relevant research using standardised checklists to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently formulate relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek healthcare (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Apply knowledge and skills in evidence-based healthcare to develop relevant written reports and critically appraise topic reviews which meet academic writing and referencing standards (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently use electronic resources to search health and medical literature to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Discuss practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Communicate and behave effectively and professionally in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care whilst undertaking community clinical placement activities. (Professional)

Clinical Education Simulation and Reflection - Part 2

Assessment Type 1: Simulation/role play
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 40%

 

This assessment task will involve submitting an audio or video where you will simulate being a future clinician educating your HAWC volunteer about the treatments available for their main condition according to the best available evidence. In a written reflection, you will evaluate the alignment between the health care journey of the your HAWC volunteer and the best available evidence.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically appraise relevant research using standardised checklists to evaluate the validity and interpretation of studies about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently formulate relevant clinical questions about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of conditions for which people seek healthcare (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Apply knowledge and skills in evidence-based healthcare to develop relevant written reports and critically appraise topic reviews which meet academic writing and referencing standards (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently use electronic resources to search health and medical literature to locate relevant research evidence to answer clinical questions to enhance the practice of physiotherapy (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Discuss practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Explain how psychological, social and cultural issues affect the health of individuals and populations and how diversity can be respected within the context of evidence-based healthcare (Engaged Global Citizen)
  • Participate effectively in classes and peer teams, by seeking and reflecting upon feedback on own your performance to generate strategies that optimise individual and team performance (Professional)
  • Communicate and behave effectively and professionally in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care whilst undertaking community clinical placement activities. (Professional)

Clinical Reflection Report

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

 

This Assessment Task is comprised of two brief reports that requires you to reflect on your clinical experiences in this unit: (1) a Formal Feedback Report; (2) Clinical Reflection Report.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Explain how psychological, social and cultural issues affect the health of individuals and populations and how diversity can be respected within the context of evidence-based healthcare (Engaged Global Citizen)
  • Participate effectively in classes and peer teams, by seeking and reflecting upon feedback on own your performance to generate strategies that optimise individual and team performance (Professional)
  • Communicate and behave effectively and professionally in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care whilst undertaking community clinical placement activities. (Professional)

Clinical Placement Logbook

Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

This assessment task requires you to submit a detailed logbook of your clinical placement hours for the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss practical strategies to successfully implement current evidence into clinical practice (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Explain how psychological, social and cultural issues affect the health of individuals and populations and how diversity can be respected within the context of evidence-based healthcare (Engaged Global Citizen)
  • Participate effectively in classes and peer teams, by seeking and reflecting upon feedback on own your performance to generate strategies that optimise individual and team performance (Professional)
  • Communicate and behave effectively and professionally in accordance with ethical, legal and professional standards of care whilst undertaking community clinical placement activities. (Professional)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Teaching and Learning Strategy

The blended learning and teaching approach in this unit aims to help students develop a deep understanding of principles and the ability to independently solve problems, with the expectation that students can then translate this knowledge to different clinical scenarios (e.g. different diagnoses). Weekly online learning modules will provide content and interactive learning activities that will help students develop foundational knowledge for this unit. These modules will be complimented by weekly on-campus practical sessions that will help students consolidate, extend and apply what they are learning each week. Practical sessions will give students the opportunity to develop practical skills in the key topics, such as formulating clinical questions, searching electronic databases and critical appraisal of evidence. These sessions will take place on-campus to optimally prepare students for their future clinical placements. Additional resources as well as consolidation activities will be made available to students online to further facilitate learning.

Inter-professional Learning and Teaching

In this unit, students will have a unique opportunity to work together with inter-professional peers across the Doctor of Physiotherapy and Macquarie Medical Doctor (MD). Practical sessions will be conducted with students from both courses for some of the semester, to facilitate inter-professional team work and understanding. The unit is delivered by an inter-professional team, including health professionals, academics and clinicians with expertise in medicine, physiotherapy and other clinical backgrounds. 

Unit organisation

This is a ten credit point unit. Overall, it is anticipated that you spend approximately 150 hours across the session on this unit. Within this session there will be 16 hours of campus-based practical classes and 99 hours involving online learning activities as well as assessment preparation and completion. 

Community Clinical Placement

As part of PHTY8104 you will also participate in a Community Clinical Placement. Within this placement, you will work with other students within the Macquarie Medical Doctor and/or Doctor of Physiotherapy students to complete 35 hours of community clinical placement which includes allocation of time working with volunteers from the community who have current or prior health conditions. 

Attendance

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our programs. As part of developing professionalism, Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including workshops. You should be punctual and prepared for all sessions.

All workshops are scheduled in your individual timetable. The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/course/timetable. You may make a request to your unit convenor to attend a different practical on a one-off basis for extenuating circumstances.

Failure to attend any learning and teaching activities, may impact your final results. It is your responsibility to contact the unit convenors by email to inform tutors if you are going to be absent.

Unit materials and readings

The textbook for this unit is:

  • Herbert et al. Evidence-based Physiotherapy. 2nd Edition 

Copies of this book are available in the MQ library and in the co-op bookshop. Digital versions are available online and can be accessed via the MQ Library database. Weekly readings will come from journal articles and a range of text book chapters. Most weekly readings will be available on iLearn (Unit Readings and Access to Papers) or MQ Library e-reserve.

On-campus

Teaching rooms are equipped with state of art audio-visual and ICT equipment including iPads, internet connection, high quality video cameras and multiple LCD screens.

Off-campus

To study optimally when off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information & at times to complete assessment tasks via iLearn.

Consultation with staff

All staff will be available for individual consultation. See iLearn for contact details.

Unit Schedule

Detailed information pertaining to the unit schedule can be found on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

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

Changes from Previous Offering

Increased practical class hours will replace online tutorials to provide students with greater opportunities to develop clinical skills in an authentic clinical learning environment.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
10/02/2022 Updated to reflect current assessment policy

Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook