99646 Clinic Level 5 and Acupuncture Microsystems
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 99645 Clinic Level 4 and Acupuncture Techniques 3
Anti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)
Description
Approximately 30 per cent of the undergraduate program is devoted to gaining clinical experience in preparation for becoming a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. This subject continues your clinical placement learning (Module 1) and extends your acupuncture theory and practice skills (Module 2):
- Module 1 – Clinical Assistant Level 5
- Clinical training and clinical placement hours occur in all stages of the Chinese medicine program. Module 1 builds on the first two years of theoretical, practical and clinical training to acquaint students with the competencies, skills and duties required by the final year student–practitioner interns working in the UTS Chinese medicine outpatient clinics.
- Module 2 – Acupuncture Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques
- Students learn special areas of acupuncture microsystems and advanced treatment techniques which have a wide range of applications in acupuncture general practice. In the practicum workshop classes students practise the theoretical information discussed in the lectures.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate professional and interpersonal communication skills in relation to patients, fellow students and supervisors |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply team-work skills to work effectively as a team member while engaging in learning that enhances professional competence |
| 3. | Identify and act upon risk factors within the clinic environment |
| 4. | Perform primary problem-focused patient questioning, listening and observing, including tongue and pulse examination, to complete accurate and ethical case history taking and client record keeping during clinical placements |
| 5. | Accurately locate the areas and points for the ear, scalp, ankle and wrist, and abdomen microsystems, and the extraordinary non-channel points, and identify their clinical applications according to their respective historical and theoretical developments |
| 6. | Demonstrate the competent, safe and effective application of manual modalities including cupping, guasha, bleeding, fire needling, plum blossom needling and moxibustion |
| 7. | Apply advanced needling manipulation techniques required for safe and effective acupuncture practice, and articulate the integrated application of filiform needling techniques with other manual modalities |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Apply: Demonstrate expertise in Chinese medicine’s classical and contemporary theories, research, and clinical health practices to support patient health and wellbeing. (1.1)
- Apply: Demonstrate the integration and application of professional health care knowledge and clinical skills to safely and ethically practise Chinese medicine. (3.1)
- Synthesise: Navigate the related business, legal, social, and ethical landscape of practice in different contexts, and apply principles of quality assurance and risk management to maintain and improve professional safety. (3.3)
- Apply: Demonstrate the ability to make clinical judgements and decisions based on available evidence and practice. (4.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary knowledge
In this subject you will learn the theories and practice of the ear, scalp, ankle and wrist, and abdominal acupuncture microsystems and their historical developments. You will study the area/point locations, theoretical basis of actions and clinical applications for the microsystems in the management of disorders. Sufficient details, materials and practical workshops are provided. Standard safe practice and infection controls are strictly adhered to.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The subject encourages you to develop a systematic approach and deductive process for clinical diagnosis through maintaining a weekly clinic log and recording your personal study and practice experiences throughout the term. You will develop your critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills through a combination of observation and practice. The reflective summary reports of your weekly observations help establish the cohesive and systematic approach that is critical for clinical inquiry and skillful practice. Through the research paper introduced, you will be able to understand how what you learned in this subject can be used in the clinical trial.
3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
a) In Module 1, the clinical environment provides a good grounding for Chinese medicine professionalism. For the Clinic Level 5 placements you will extend and refine your technical and practical skills, time management skills, teamwork and collaboration, practicality, ethics, honesty, responsibility, integrity, passion, commitment, engagement and career development.
b) In Module 2 you will learn and apply advanced treatment techniques including the acupuncture microsystems and extra points. You will further develop, refine and strengthen the skills of locating points and how to needle them competently and safely. You will practice these skills during the weekly practicum workshops and for Assessment task 2: Practicum/workshop
5. Communication
The subject requires that you develop effective writing, speaking and listening skills through your case history taking and interpersonal communication with patients, peers and supervising practitioners in the Clinic. In Clinic Level 5 you will practice these skills through your dedicated clinical placement work and you will especially aim to develop empathy, awareness of body language, and active listening for Assessment task 1: Clinical assistant.
Teaching and learning strategies
Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques.
The classes for this subject include interactive lectures with practical demonstrations (2.5hpw) and workshops/practicum classes requiring teamwork, cooperation and active participation (1.5hpw). You will apply the theoretical information learned in the lectures in your practicum/workshop classes.
In addition to attending theoretical and practical classes, students must also complete the clinical component of this subject.
Clinical Component: Clinical Assistant Level 5.
In Clinical Assistant Level 5 you are required to complete a total of 70 hours of supervised clinical placement training:
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30 hours acupuncture clinic
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25 hours tui na clinic
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15 hours Chinese herbal medicine clinic
Refer to the Subject's clinic roster for your clinical duties, dates and times in the UTS Chinese Medicine outpatient clinic. You are expected to attend and complete your clinical placement hours in accordance with the Clinical Procedures and Safe Clinical Practice manual. The clinic roster will be published online at the beginning of term and posted in the Clinic.
You may apply to complete up to fifty percent of your clinic hours with an approved External Honorary Clinical Associate practitioner.
Content (topics)
Module 1: Clinical Assistant Level 5.
Attendance and participation of supervised clinical duties in the UTS Chinese Medicine Clinic or with an approved external practitioner. Students will assist practitioners as directed including:
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Ethical practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine;
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Patient care and clinic management;
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Apply Chinese diagnostic systems;
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Assist with treatments and ensure correct aseptic techniques are in place;
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Professional communication skills in relation to the Clinic patients and their patient records, fellow students, and supervising-practitioners.
For details refer to your copy of the Clinical Procedures and Safe Clinical Practice manual.
Module 2: Acupuncture Microsystems
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The principles behind and the application of ear, scalp, hand, foot, ankle and wrist, and abdominal acupuncture microsystem points, and advanced needling and treatment techniques including cupping, bloodletting, moxibustion;
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Precautions and clinical experiences relating to major points used in acupuncture microsystems and advanced treatment techniques;
- Body (channel) acupuncture revision - revision of the major points learned in the first two years of the degree program, including their locations, indications, functions, and clinical applications.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Practicum/workshop
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1 and 3.3 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1.5 hours each week as scheduled. |
| Criteria: | Throughout the session the practicum/workshops will provide you with constructive, formative, weekly feedback on your learning. The workshop practice tasks will be posted online in advance so that you can prepare every week for your classes. You will work in pairs to complete the workshop practicum tasks each week. Your ability to apply your learning to the practice tasks and complete them safely and efficiently will be assessed in class. The total mark for the semester's practicum classes will be calculated for a mark out of 30 for this part of the subject assessment. |
Assessment task 2: Practical exam
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 20 minutes |
| Criteria: | You will only be permitted to undertake the practical exam if you have successfully completed the pre-class threshold exam. The end of session practical exam will take place in your last class in Week 12, and will assess your ability to locate all the new points and apply the therapeutic modalities you have learned and practiced this term. The assessment criteria will include:
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Assessment task 3: End of term exam
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 3.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
| Criteria: | Accurate, relevant, logical and comprehensive answers. |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must:
- pass the pre-class threshold-point location examination
- complete all clinical hours as prescribed in Module 1 and submit wiki cases, to the satisfaction of the practitioner in the clinic.
- complete all threshold tasks to the satisfaction of the subject coordinator;
- obtain a minimum of 50% in the overall subject mark.
Required texts
- Congxing Yang (2013), Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniquess, UTS: Science.
Recommended texts
- Wang, Y (2009), Micro-acupuncture in Practice, Churchill livingstone, Elservier.
References
1. Abbate S 2006, Advanced Techniques in Oriental Medicine, Thieme, Stutgart, New York.
2. Baldry PE 2005, Acupuncture, Trigger Points, and Musculoskeletal Pain, 3rd edn, Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.
3. Chen, K & Cui, Y 1991, Handbook to Chinese Auricular Therapy, Foreign Language Press, Beijing.
4. Cheng, X 1987, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Foreign Languages Press, Beijing.
5. Deadman, P & Al Khafaji, M 1998, A Manual of Acupuncture, and Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
6. Frank, BL 2007, Auricular Medicine and Auricular Therapy, A Practical Approach, Author House, UK.
7. Hecker H, Steveling A, Peuker E, & Kastner J 2005, Practice of Acupuncture, Thieme, Stuttgart , New York.
8. Hecker H, Steveling A, & Peuker E 2006, Microsystems Acupuncture, Thieme, Stuttgart , New York.
9. Landgren, K 2008, Ear Acupuncture, A Practical Guide, Churchill Livingstone, Elservier.
10. Maciocia G 2006, The Channels of Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier
11. Muscolino JE 2005, The Muscular System Manual, 2nd edn, Elsevier, Missouri.
12. Nogier PMF (Kenyon JN trans.) 1981, Handbook of Auriculotherapy, Maisonneuve, France.
13. Nogier, P 1985, The Man in the Ear, Maisonneuve, France.
14. Oleson, T 2003, Auriculotherapy Manual – Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone.
15. Rubach, A 2001, Principles of Ear Acupuncture - Microsystems of the Auricle, Thieme, Stuttgart, New York.
16. Walsh, S 2006, Clinical Procedures & Safe Clinical Practice - A guide for students and supervisors, UTS: Science.
17. Wexu, M 1975, The Ear Gateway to Balance the Body – A Modern Guide to Ear Acupuncture, ASI Publishers, Inc., New York.
18. Yau, PS 1990 (edited and translated), Scalp Needling Therapy, Medicine & Health Publishing Co, Hong Kong.