Students

CHIR8511 – Clinical Neurology

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 Senior Lecturer
Stephney Whillier
stephney.whillier@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
75 Talavera road, room 2240
This is best arranged via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MChiroprac and (CHIR3106 or CHIR316) or ((CHIR6110 or CHIR602) and (CHIR6111 or CHIR603) and (CHIR6302 or CHIR604) and (CHIR6303 or CHIR605) and (CHIR6410 or CHIR606) and (CHIR6510 or CHIR608))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit covers a wide spectrum of clinically relevant neurological conditions for chiropractic students. Students will develop competency in neurological examination and in formulating a differential diagnosis based on the patient's clinical presentation. The knowledge and understanding constructed in this way also enables students to discuss and analyse pertinent case studies with the necessary depth required. The knowledge and skills acquired during this unit are fundamental for diagnostic competence in chiropractic practice. A variety of teaching methods are employed, from lectures based on current evidence that are also made available online, to tutorials that are underpinned by a social constructivist approach to building knowledge, using the discussion of case studies to develop diagnostic skill.

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: Perform the clinical neuromusculoskeletal history taking and examination competently
  • ULO2: Draw on acquired theoretical knowledge in order to tailor the physical examination to the clinical presentation of the patient, and from this develop a differential diagnosis and clinical management plan.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate well developed clinical reasoning skills and the ability to diagnose conditions that are suitable for chiropractic care, and identify conditions that are contraindicated for chiropractic care including conditions of non-musculoskeletal origin.
  • ULO4: Acquire knowledge to evaluate conditions, research these cases further using appropriate reference material and communicate findings
  • ULO5: Develop a respect and empathy for patients, and an ethical and professional attitude to health care. In this regard, you should develop a commitment to remain informed and up-to-date in your profession

General Assessment Information

Assessment Tasks Description

  1. Weekly Quizzes: Eleven (11) quizzes:  10 minute quizzes to be completed online in WEEKS 2 - 12 that will test lecture material of the previous week. See the schedule above for details on content that is covered by looking at the previous week’s lecture content. The format will be multiple choice questions or fill in the missing word/s. Each quiz will open on Monday at 8am and close on Sunday at 11pm of that week. The first quiz will be posted on Monday of week 2. There will be absolutely no opportunity to submit a quiz after the closing time as answers are released at that point. If you have technical difficulties, email your answers to your convenor and they will be manually marked. If you email these after the closing time, they will not be marked. The quizzes will have a time limit of 10 minutes, and there will be only one submission per student. The resultant mark will be an AVERAGE of the 11 quiz marks (please note, NOT best x of 11).
  2. OSCE: These will assess your competency in performing the neurological examination. Details will be given on iLearn and in the tutorials nearer to the date
  3. Final examination: This will cover the content for the entire semester. It tests your knowledge of the theory, and the ability to connect that knowledge to real life situations (e.g., case studies, clinical presentations). It will consist of a 2 hour written exam with multiple choice questions, short answer questions and case studies. 

 

Examinations

The Semester 1 University Examination period is from: 6 - 24 June, 2022

You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University examination timetable. The timetable will be available in draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations:

 

http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/exam

 

The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for special consideration. The University’s Special Consideration Policy can be found at:  https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration. Information can also be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

 

Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support.  Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.

 

If a supplementary examination is granted as a result of special consideration, the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period.

 

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

 

 

NOTE: Supplementary exams may be in a different format to the exam set in the normal examination period.

 

You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. You are expected to ensure that you are available until the end of the teaching semester that is the final day of the official examination period.

Returning Assessment Tasks                                                                                                                         

  1. Quizzes: automatic feedback is given when the quiz is closed
  2. OSCEs: Students will receive feedback during the examination, and in the term I OSCE, further feedback will be given in the tutorial.
  3. Examination: Papers will not be returned. Marks will be incorporated into the final unit grade.

Extensions and penalties                                                                                                       

Extensions to assignments are at the discretion of the unit convenor. It is your responsibility to prove to the convenor that there has been unavoidable disruption. Marks will be deducted for late submissions in the absence of an approved extension.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
weekly quizzes 20% No Weekly from week 2 - 12
Final written examination 40% No In formal examination period
OSCE I 20% No Week 7
OSCE II 20% No Week 13

weekly quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weekly from week 2 - 12
Weighting: 20%

students complete online weekly quizzes based on the previous week's lectures and case studies
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform the clinical neuromusculoskeletal history taking and examination competently
  • Demonstrate well developed clinical reasoning skills and the ability to diagnose conditions that are suitable for chiropractic care, and identify conditions that are contraindicated for chiropractic care including conditions of non-musculoskeletal origin.
  • Acquire knowledge to evaluate conditions, research these cases further using appropriate reference material and communicate findings

Final written examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: In formal examination period
Weighting: 40%

The final exam tests your knowledge of the theory, and the ability to connect that knowledge to real life situations (e.g. case studies, clinical presentations). It will consist of a 2 hour written exam with multiple choice questions and case studies.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Draw on acquired theoretical knowledge in order to tailor the physical examination to the clinical presentation of the patient, and from this develop a differential diagnosis and clinical management plan.
  • Demonstrate well developed clinical reasoning skills and the ability to diagnose conditions that are suitable for chiropractic care, and identify conditions that are contraindicated for chiropractic care including conditions of non-musculoskeletal origin.
  • Acquire knowledge to evaluate conditions, research these cases further using appropriate reference material and communicate findings

OSCE I

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

The OSCE will assess competency in performing the neurological examination.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform the clinical neuromusculoskeletal history taking and examination competently
  • Draw on acquired theoretical knowledge in order to tailor the physical examination to the clinical presentation of the patient, and from this develop a differential diagnosis and clinical management plan.
  • Demonstrate well developed clinical reasoning skills and the ability to diagnose conditions that are suitable for chiropractic care, and identify conditions that are contraindicated for chiropractic care including conditions of non-musculoskeletal origin.
  • Acquire knowledge to evaluate conditions, research these cases further using appropriate reference material and communicate findings
  • Develop a respect and empathy for patients, and an ethical and professional attitude to health care. In this regard, you should develop a commitment to remain informed and up-to-date in your profession

OSCE II

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

The OSCE will assess competency in performing the neurological examination and skill in differential diagnosis
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform the clinical neuromusculoskeletal history taking and examination competently
  • Draw on acquired theoretical knowledge in order to tailor the physical examination to the clinical presentation of the patient, and from this develop a differential diagnosis and clinical management plan.
  • Demonstrate well developed clinical reasoning skills and the ability to diagnose conditions that are suitable for chiropractic care, and identify conditions that are contraindicated for chiropractic care including conditions of non-musculoskeletal origin.
  • Acquire knowledge to evaluate conditions, research these cases further using appropriate reference material and communicate findings
  • Develop a respect and empathy for patients, and an ethical and professional attitude to health care. In this regard, you should develop a commitment to remain informed and up-to-date in your profession

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

Delivery mode

This unit is characterised by a moderate degree of flexibility. It incorporates a variety of learning tools and media. It will comprise:

 

ACTIVITY

Total

 

Lectures

 

 

 

 

2 × 2 hour lectures per week online

4 hours per week, weeks 1-12

 

 

 

Tutorials

 

 

 

 

2 × 2 hour tutorial class per week, weeks 2 – 12

 

Tutorial 1: Wednesday 2-4pm or 4-6pm (11WW 320 North Lab)

Tutorial 2: Thursday 9-11am or 11 – 1 (11WW 330 South Lab)

 

Note that you must attend one of the Wednesday, and one of the Thursday tutorials per week. This means you attend a total of two tutorials a week.

4 hours per week, weeks 2-12

 

 

Other

Revision, self-instructional learning, preparation for tutorials and readings from the manual/text

2.5 hours per week

 

Please note that the venues are subject to change until just before the start of the semester. So, for further details on class time and locations for this unit follow the link below:

http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/timetables

 

Unit Web Page

You can log in to iLearn System via the link listed below:

https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

All lecture materials will be posted on ilearn, and there is also a link to ECHO360 for audio recordings of the lectures.

 

Required and recommended resources

Required:

  1. CHIR8511 – Clinical Neurology Tutorial Course Manual 2022– This has been uploaded to iLearn. Please be sure to either download, print and bind the manual, or have an iPad or laptop to access the manual during the tutorial.

 

Recommended: 

  • Blumenfeld H (2010) Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. 2nd ed. Sinauer Associates Inc, Massachusetts. Distributed by Palgrave Macmillan, Victoria, Australia.
  • Souza TA (2005) Differential diagnosis and management for the chiropractor 3rd ed. Jones & Bartlett Pub, Massachusetts.

 

Required Diagnostic Equipment (Neurological Diagnosis Kit):

  1. A diagnostic set with otoscope and ophthalmoscope (recommended: Welsh Allen series 97200-BI - ~$585)
  2. A tailor’s measuring tape
  3. A 128Hz or 256Hz (vibration) and also a 512Hz (auditory) tuning fork
  4. Neurotips
  5. Long stem cotton tips/long cotton swabs
  6. Disposable tongue depressors
  7. Tomahawk reflex hammer
  8. A number of tactile items e.g., key, coin etc
  9. A mathematical compass

A note about textbooks:

Textbooks for this unit can be purchased online from Booktopia  https://www.booktopia.com.au/coop .

The list of Macquarie University S1 2022 units and texts can be found on the Booktopia website.

 

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.

Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook