PARA212 2021 Extended Unit Outline (final with LICs TBA) PDF

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Unit outline for PARA212. Includes essay and assignment criteria with rubrics...

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FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES School of NURSING, MIDWIFERY & PARAMEDICINE Brisbane Campus, Melbourne Campus & North Sydney Campus SEMESTER 2 2021 PARA212: Contemporary Challenges in Paramedicine UNIT OUTLINE This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Australian Catholic University in accordance with section 113P of the Copyright Act 1968 (Act). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice

Credit points: 10 Prerequisites: HLSC122 – Evidence for Practice It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you have the prerequisites or co-requisites for a particular unit. You may not enrol in this unit if you have previously passed, or are currently enrolled in, any unit identified as incompatible with this unit. If you do not meet these requirements, then you must see your Course Coordinator.

National Lecturer in Charge: Heath Gangell Office location: Melbourne Email: [email protected] Telephone: (03) 9230 8128 Contact me: Via email

Unit rationale, description and aim: It is a requirement that all paramedic professionals understand the concepts of professionalisation, governance, interdisciplinary practice, legal precincts, and scope and models of practice underpinning paramedic practice. Such knowledge is essential for paramedics to operate safely within legal and ethical principles and boundaries in a rapidly evolving profession. Changing demographics in paramedic practice and health care delivery in Australia necessitate an understanding of disadvantaged and distinctive population groups. This unit explores some of the emerging challenges for paramedicine as a health practice discipline with reference to the dynamic nature of this discipline area in contemporary times. It aims to engender in students a deeper understanding of the challenges they may face as paramedics once Page 1 of 21

PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

engaged in practice. Consideration is given to models, scope of practice and governance in the context of changing community needs and challenges to the adequacy of the health system in meeting these needs. Students will be encouraged to plan strategies to engage with communities in preparation for community engagement project work in the unit PARA321 Community Engagement and Paramedic Practice innovations. The aim of this unit is to assist students to achieve a wide-ranging knowledge of contemporary issues and challenges in paramedic practice including professionalisation, legal precincts, interdisciplinary practice and the assessment and management of specific and disadvantaged populations.

Teaching team

Lecturer in Charge (Brisbane Campus): Richard Galeano Office location: 207.G.06 Email: [email protected] Telephone: (07) 3861 6160 Contact me: Contact via email. Response will be provided within 48 hours (working days)

Lecturer in Charge (Melbourne Campus): Heath Gangell Office location: 403.4.26A Email: [email protected] Telephone: (03) 9230 8128 Contact me: Contact via email. Response will be provided within 48 hours (working days)

Lecturer in Charge (North Sydney Campus): TBA Office location: Choose or enter a location. Email: [email protected] Telephone: Select a prefix or enter your number. Contact me: Contact via email. Response will be provided within 48 hours (working days)

Mode: Online Attendance pattern: 10 x two-hour online tutorials, 10 x one-hour self-directed online lessons/activities Duration: 10 week-semester. You should anticipate undertaking 150 of study for this unit, including class attendance, readings and assignment preparation.

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

LEARNING OUTCOMES The Bachelor of Paramedicine (BP) course is a professional program that requires development of particular attributes for accreditation purposes. These are also included in the learning outcomes. On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to: LO1 Describe contemporary challenges in paramedic practice including those associated with responding to the needs of special population groups (GA1, GA2) LO2 Develop and apply research skills to explore paramedic practice issue(s) including those related to practice models, scope of practice and governance inclusive of legislation and common law principles (GA4, GA6, GA8, GA10) LO3 Create innovative proposals aimed at addressing contemporary practice challenges in paramedicine (GA4, GA6, GA8, GA9, GA10) LO4 Act as an advocate for the needs of an identified issue or community group (GA1, GA2) LO5 Reflect on issues and develop an appreciation of the need to adapt practice to meet future challenges within a dynamic area of health practice (GA4, GA6) LO6 Critically evaluate current approaches to a range of issues within the area of paramedic practice (GA4)

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES Each unit in your course contributes in some way to the development of the ACU Graduate Attributes which you should demonstrate by the time you complete your course. All Australian universities have their expected graduate attributes – ACU’s Graduate Attributes have a greater emphasis on ethical behaviour and community responsibility than those of many other universities. All of your units will enable you to develop some attributes. On successful completion of this unit, you should have developed your ability to: GA1

Demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA2

Recognise your responsibility to the common good, the environment and society

GA4

Think critically and reflectively

GA6 Solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account GA8

Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information

GA9 Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media GA10 Utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES Learning Outcomes

Paramedicine Board of Australia Professional Capabilities for Registered Paramedics:

LO1

2.1, 2.2, 3.4, 4.6, 5.3, 5.4

LO2

3.3. 4.5

LO3

2.1, 3.3

LO4

2.1, 3.3, 3.3, 4.5, 4.6

LO5 LO6

3.3, 4.5, 4.6

CONTENT Topics will include: • Professionalisation • Registration • Technology • Scope of practice • Models of practice • Interdisciplinary practice • Changing demographics • Multiculturalism • Needs of marginalised groups • Needs of special population groups • Feminisation, casualisation and fractionalisation of work patterns • Governance • Legal principles governing practice

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STUDENT FEEDBACK This unit has been evaluated through the ‘Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching’ (SELT) online surveys. In 2021 the unit has had some redevelopment to the online self-directed lessons. Additionally, some minor changes have been made to assessment marking rubric to ensure clarity for students. SELT surveys are usually conducted at the end of the teaching period. Your practical and constructive feedback is valuable to improve the quality of the unit. Please ensure you complete the SELT survey for the unit. You can also provide feedback at other times to the unit lecturers, course coordinators and/or through student representatives. Page 4 of 21

PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY AND RATIONALE Modes of delivery in this unit include tutorials, online activities and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills relevant to professional paramedic practice. These strategies will also support students in meeting the aim, learning outcomes and graduate attributes of the unit and the broader course learning outcomes. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively with peers. Located in the second year of the programme, this unit includes some face-to-face teaching hours during which clinical case scenarios and professional case scenarios are used to assist students in linking theory with practice. Tutorials are utilised to convey content and its central principles while computer-assisted learning assists students in applying theory to clinical practice and to build critical reflective skills. The tutorials deliver interactive learning sessions which assist students in applying the theory to clinical practice while also providing an opportunity to consolidate professional knowledge and behaviours. Online materials provide students with the opportunity to manage the significant component of directed, self-motivated study required for graduate practice and life-long learning skills.

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

SCHEDULE For the most up-to-date information, please check your LEO unit and also note advice from your lecturing and tutoring staff for changes to this schedule. Week

Starting

Weekly online tutorial

CAL information

1

02/08/21

Unit introduction Debate group allocation Debate basics

History of ambulance care in Australia and internationally

Other information

Current challenges in health care Australian society – demographics, health challenges, marginal and mainstream populations, resourcing, economics, rural health, roles of health care workers

2

09/08/21

Challenges to the Australian health system

3

16/08/21

Activity: Changing demographics and multiculturalism

4

23/08/21

Debates: Group 1 vs Group 2 Group 3 vs Group 4

Governance and legalities

5

30/08/21

Debates: Group 5 vs Group 6 Group 7 vs Group 8

Impact of feminisation and casualisation

6

06/09/21

7

13/09/21

Impact of technology on health and paramedicine

Professionalisation and registration

8

20/09/21

Models of practice – treat and refer

Scope and models of practice

Presentations from Week 3 Activity: Changing demographics and multiculturalism

Demographic change, multiculturalism, marginalised groups, special populations

Technology

VACATION WEEK

27/09/21 9

04/10/21

Professional boundaries and dynamic scopes of practice

Interdisciplinary practice

10

11/10/21

Unit and topics review

Overview and future challenges

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AT2: Case Study due Friday 10/9/2021 at 1700hrs

AT3: Essay due Friday15/10/2021 at 1700hrs

PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND RATIONALE A range of assessment items consistent with University assessment requirements and policy will be used to ensure students achieve the unit learning outcomes and attain the graduate attributes. Second year sees the students continue their transition toward being an independent learner. The case study engages students with their pending practice environment. The debate provides students with the opportunity to examine and articulate key issues and challenges in paramedic practice. The essay evaluates knowledge and understanding critical to the changing demographic of paramedic practice. These assessments are required to build student knowledge which, by the conclusion of this programme, will allow the student to graduate as a safe and effective paramedic. In order to pass this unit, you are required to: 1. Undertake all assessment takes, and 2. Obtain an aggregate mark of 50% or greater for the unit. The assessment tasks for this unit are designed for you to demonstrate your achievement of each learning outcome.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION, MARKING AND RETURN The case study and essay assessment tasks are facilitated using electronic submission, marking and return through LEO.

Assessment tasks

Due date

Learning Graduate Weighting outcome(s) attribute(s) (%) assessed assessed

As scheduled in tutorials

20%

LO1, LO4, LO5, LO6

GA1, GA4, GA9

Due Friday 10/9/2021 at 1700hrs

40%

LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

GA4, GA6, GA8, GA9

Due Friday 15/10/2021 at 1700hrs

40%

LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6

GA2, GA4, GA8, GA9, GA10

Debate (equivalent 1,000 words) Enables students to achieve sound communication skills and understanding of key issues in contemporary practice. Case Study (1,500 words) Enables students to demonstrate understanding of key issues and challenges in the delivery of health care to disadvantaged and distinctive populations or the changing demographics of paramedic practice. Essay (1,500 words) Enables students to articulate their knowledge and understanding of contemporary challenges in paramedic practice.

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

ASSESSMENT 1: Debate Students will be allocated to a group in Week 1 of the semester. In this group, students will be required to participate in an online debate responding to an allocated topic related to challenges in paramedicine. Students will need to present an argument either refuting or affirming a set statement related to their allocated issue. •

This assessment task also requires students to email to the lecturer on the day of their debate a package of supportive documentation, including the following:

•

ACU assignment coversheet

•

Breakdown of student contribution to project (available on LEO under ‘My Assessments’)

•

Structured debate topic summary with in-text citations (available on LEO under ‘My Assessments’)

•

Reference list

Due date:

As scheduled in Week 4 and Week 5 tutorials

Weighting:

20%

Length and/or format:

4 minutes per speaker (equivalent to 1,000 words)

Purpose:

This task aims to improve student communication, presentation and collaboration skills whilst concurrently deepening student understanding of the key issues that they are likely to face in their future practice as paramedics. This assessment promotes the exchange of information amongst the wider student group to develop a pool of resources for future student reference.

Learning outcomes assessed:

1, 4, 5, 6

How to submit:

Class presentation – all supportive documentation to be submitted on the date of debate

Return of assignment:

Students will be notified on their grade with feedback within three weeks of their debate.

Assessment criteria:

Refer to rubric in appendices

ASSESSMENT 2: Case Study In this case study, students will focus on the specific needs of a marginalised or disadvantaged community group. Students need to explore the specific needs (e.g. cultural and communication) of this group and use this as the foundation to consider whether or not the specific needs of this group are met by current practices within paramedicine. The case study should include: 1. A description of a case/situation in the out-of-hospital paramedicine setting, in which the specific needs of a marginalised and/or disadvantaged community group are not adequately met. The description of the case should be focused upon your chosen issue rather than the specific clinical details of the case. The case can be anecdotal and drawn from your own experiences/interest, or from a published case study. 2. A description of why the chosen group is marginalised and/or disadvantaged. The description should include the relevant demographical context of the group.

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

3. Discussion and justification of how the needs of the chosen group are not met by current ambulance practice. 4. A proposal that aims to minimise the marginalisation and/or disadvantage to the chosen group in the pre-hospital setting. The proposal should identify how the change would have benefited the specific case described in the case study. Students can choose from the following groups: • The elderly • Refugees • People from diverse gender and sexuality groups • Religious minorities • Cultural minorities • People with disability • People with chronic illness • The homeless • People with mental illness • Indigenous people • Any other group approved in writing by your LIC Due date:

Friday 10/9/2021 at 1700hrs

Weighting:

40%

Length and/or format:

1500 words

Purpose:

This task aims to improve the depth of understanding of the needs of specific groups within the community and to give students the opportunity to think creatively in terms of practice innovations to meet the needs of these groups.

Learning outcomes assessed:

3, 4, 5, 6

How to submit:

Turnitin on the unit LEO page

Return of assignment:

Via Turnitin and within three weeks of the submission date

Assessment criteria:

Refer to rubric in appendices

ASSESSMENT 3: Essay You are required to present a proposal to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a state ambulance service to change an organisational practice in response to a contemporary challenge in paramedicine. The submission will include two (2) parts: Part A – A cover letter to the CEO • Outline your chosen topic and proposal in a letter to the CEO (250 words maximum). Part B – A proposal to address a contemporary challenge (essay) • Describe your chosen topic and justify how it presents a challenge to contemporary and/or future paramedic practice. In doing so, you should provide a compelling reason as to why change is required.

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PARA212 Extended Unit Outline FINAL MODERATED © Australian Catholic University 2021

Version: 202160

•

Provide a proposal that addresses the challenge that you have described. This must demonstrate how your change meets the needs of all relevant stakeholders (i.e. the organisation, the employees, the health system, the community and those with specialised needs).

Due date:

Friday 15/10/2021 at 1700hrs

Weighting:

40%

Length and/or format:

1500 words

Purpose:

Th...