96808 Generating Evidence to Improve Palliative Care Outcomes
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 96806 Translating Evidence into Change
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject gives students skills for research and/or professional practice through learning and designing quality improvement and translational research. Students extend their understanding of the practicalities of conducting a project, including approval processes, applying for funding, ethical approval and collecting and managing data.
Students analyse local service-level data and apply quality improvement tools to identify and justify a problem in current care delivery that presents an opportunity for improving person-centred palliative care; search for, synthesise and appraise evidence for potential solutions; and devise an aim and methods for evaluation.
This subject supports students to develop both written and oral presentations to use in their workplace to build support for undertaking quality improvement and research projects within a local service setting.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Map approval processes for quality improvement and research projects within a local service setting. |
|---|---|
| B. | Analyse service-level data and use quality improvement tools to identify and appraise a gap or problem in care. |
| C. | Develop a rationale for a quality improvement or research project to further enhance the delivery of person-centred palliative care based on local data and evidence from research. |
| D. | Devise an aim and methods for a proposed plan for palliative care quality improvement. |
| E. | Present their project in written and oral formats in readiness for undertaking the project. |
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject will be delivered exclusively online, enabling students to participate remotely. Learning will occur through engagement with online modules, academic staff and other students.
To enable a richer learning experience when interacting with staff and other students, students will be required to prepare in advance by reading, watching videos, and completing online tasks. The online learning platform ‘Canvas’ will be used for all subject materials and announcements.
Over the session, students will also receive support to help them develop, conduct and present on their quality improvement or research project. This will require completion of activities within a private eWorkspace and attendance at regular video-conferencing (i.e. Zoom) meetings spread over the session. Learning will be supported by worked examples where applicable.
Assessment activities will be individual rather than group-based to enable students to tailor their project to their local context, and include written tasks and short presentations that are authentic to real-world quality improvement and research in healthcare.
Content (topics)
The content of this subject has been structured to support the process of developing a quality improvement or research project in healthcare. Key components will include: navigating local requirements for approval and other relevant policies and frameworks; quality improvement versus translational research; using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle for continuous improvement in healthcare; using theory to explore and leverage causal mechanisms and context; using and interpreting service-level data and quality improvement tools to identify and appraise opportunities for improvement; designing a measurement model; devising SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) aims; and getting a project up and running.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Understanding local approval processes for quality improvement and research
| Intent: | For students to gain practical attributes required to understand governance and ethical issues related to quality improvement and research in healthcare. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Flowchart detailing approval processes for quality improvement and research projects in a local healthcare setting and up to 300 words text explaining this. |
Assessment task 2: Brief report – Conduct research using evidence from local services to identify a focus for improving the quality of person-centred palliative care
| Intent: | For students to conduct research using data and investigative tools to identify a service gap and opportunities for improving care. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): B and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 600-700 words excluding figures and tables |
Assessment task 3: Project proposal – Background and rationale
| Intent: | For students to gain skills and practical experience in justifying and appraising a rationale for improving care based on research evidence. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): C and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 800-900 word proposal |
Assessment task 4: Project proposal – Aim and methods
| Intent: | For students to develop research and quality improvement skills in devising aims and methods. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 300-400 word proposal |
Assessment task 5: Oral presentation of the project proposal
| Intent: | For students to develop integrated skills and practical experience in orally presenting a proposal for a research-based quality improvement project. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Oral presentation of 4 – 5 minutes |
Required texts
There is no prescribed textbook for this subject. Links to references and electronic resources will be made available in Canvas.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
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