99647 Clinic Level 6
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks
Requisite(s): 99646 Clinic Level 5 and Acupuncture Microsystems
Anti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)
Description
This subject is divided into three modules.
Module 1: Clinical Assistant Level 6: Approximately 30 per cent of the undergraduate training program is devoted to clinical experience and preparation for becoming a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner. This module builds on the first two-and-a-half years of theoretical, practical and clinical training through ongoing clinical practice either externally (for acupuncture only) with an approved practitioner or within the University's outpatient clinic. Mandatory clinical hours for acupuncture, herbal medicine and tuina are rostered and detailed in Canvas.
Module 2: Year 4 Clinical Internship Preparation: This module has three aspects which synergistically prepare students for the upcoming Year 4 clinical experience: (a) design and publication of a Clinic Management Plan through the combined work of several specific committees; (b) discuss and design the rudiments of the Year 4 Learning Contract project; and (c) assure completion of all mandatory certifications and prerequisites for commencement of the Year 4 clinic. (Note: The list of required certifications is subject to update at any time within the teaching session.)
- Clinic Management Plan: Students engage in committee-based group work to construct their Year 4 Clinical Management Plan. The Plan covers all aspects of daily management, discipline, rostering and promotion of their future internship clinic. The committee work involves the research and implementation of legal and ethical issues associated with their specific committee group. These committees remain active throughout the entire operation of the following Year 4 clinic.
- Year 4 Learning Contract: The Learning Contract is a negotiated clinic-based learning project designed to research, implement, measure and analyse extended knowledge on a topic of choice. Although not a clinical trial, the Learning Contract does rely on implementation of the basic methodologies learned in research subjects 91614 and 91615.
- Certifications and Prerequisite check: This subject is a requisite subject for entry into the Year 4 clinic. It assures currency throughout the Year 4 clinic internship period for the following documents:
- senior first aid certificate
- police check
- Working With Children Check (WWCC)
In addition, a further audit for completion of the following is conducted and shortages advised:
- all subjects in Years 1–3
- all clinical hours attached to Clinic Level subjects 1–6
- all online clinic hour WIKIs attached to the Clinic Level subjects 1–6.
Module 3: Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Paediatrics and Traumatology: This module contributes to the development of an evidenced-based approach to clinical practice in Chinese medicine (CM). The module addresses health preservation and implements an integrative approach to the theories, disease processes and treatment approaches between CM and the western biomedical model. A number of diseases are covered from paediatric and traumatology CM clinical areas. Discussions undertaken in the clinical areas cover:
- CM classification(s)
- biomedical classification(s)
- aetiology
- pathology
- diagnosis
- differential diagnosis
- current biomedical therapies
- herbal formula modification, application and treatment
- CM treatment strategies and methods (including herbal formulae, acupuncture, massage, exercise, lifestyle and dietary advice)
- integration of laboratory and radiological findings (where relevant).
Preventative health measures and strategies for health maintenance are addressed in this subject. These are discussed in the context of Yang Sheng CM 'health preservation and enhancement' including the application of dietary principles.
Traumatology integrates and strengthens the knowledge obtained in orthopaedic studies in 99644, 99645 and 99641.
Together, study of the three clinical areas of traumatology, paediatrics and Yang Sheng assumes completion and understanding of the biomedical knowledge obtained in Stages 1–5, and draws on 99584 Clinical Features content and CM diagnostic frameworks.
These modules link into the Year 4 clinical practice internship subjects (99630, 99631 and 99669) where students are required to apply their learning in the UTS Chinese Medicine clinic.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply correct treatment protocols commensurate with level 6 clinical training. |
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| 2. | Demonstrate aseptic techniques as required for the practice of acupuncture, tuina and the preparation of herbal prescriptions. |
| 3. | Demonstrate the competent use of professional communication skills with the patient, fellow students and supervising practitioners. |
| 4. | Analyse a clinical practitioner's Chinese diagnostic rationale. |
| 5. | Create a clinical management plan as part of running a business |
| 6. | Create a personal management plan identifying personal goals and strategies for your postgraduate practice. |
| 7. | Create a practitioner resource portfolio. |
| 8. | Develop a learning contract to identify personal learning objectives, strategies and outcome measurements. |
| 9. | Identify and diagnostically differentiate a range of disease conditions common to traumatology and paediatrics from both a Chinese Medicine and western biomedical perspective. |
| 10. | Identify the CM and biomedical treatment principles for each of the main diseases in traumatology and paediatrics. |
| 11. | Explain clinical considerations relating to the general health and treatment of children. |
| 12. | Demonstrate the principles and methods of health preservation and enhancement used in CM. |
| 13. | Demonstrate ability to meet and maintain professional certification currency. |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following Faculty of Science graduate attributes:
1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application
The ongoing development of practical diagnostic and treatment skills associated with the clinical module assists students with their understanding of clinical processes and ability to communicate with professional colleagues. Through the observation of acupuncture and herbal medicine and the clinical application of tui na, students will develop an appreciation for the benefits and limitations of these modalities.
The Academic Module 2 helps students place these practices within an ethical and legal framework. Development of a Learning Contract helps students to focus on particular areas of disciplinary knowledge which they may wish to apply during 4th year clinic and upon graduation. The marketing exercises and strategies developed for the intern clinic may also assist graduates when they enter private practice.
Module 3 covers the clinical areas of study in paediatrics, traumatology and Yang Sheng and provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to differentiate syndromes, by evaluating clinical information according to the differential diagnostic system, and link the results of this evaluation to strategies and treatment technique applications consistent with Chinese medicine clinical practice.
2. An Inquiry-oriented approach
The critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills developed as part of the clinical training structures are vital to the development of interest in research later in their post graduate careers. An inquiry oriented approach is also a key factor in the development of clinical skills and the research required for continuing professional development. The assessment structures and practical exercises require the pursuit of knowledge and stimulates a sense of inquiry into the workings of TCM. Students are encouraged to research and develop areas of specialisation which fall outside their standard training. Assessment tasks for this subject are designed specifically to develop communication and management skills necessary for the running of the final year internship clinic with a flow on to post graduate practice.
Students also develop understandings and skills for appropriate application of Yang Sheng in a range of circumstances and conditions, including paediatrics and traumatology. Students need to gather, record and analyse clinical information through accurate and organised patient case history taking, case studies and supervised clinical placement. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate the relevant literature to inform and modify current clinical practice, and benefit future client/patient healthcare management.
3. Professional skills and their appropriate application
Students continue to develop their diagnostic and practical training skills within a controlled and safe clinical environment. Assessment structures are specifically designed to foster leadership and the management and organization skills which will be necessary for the delivery of TCM services within the 4th year clinic. These same skills are transferable to private practice. Exposure to the clinic environment allows student to engage in the management of practitioner clinics. Assessment tasks are also geared towards these attributes. As students’ confidence grows in clinic, they will be able to take their place within the professional community. Class exercises are specifically designed to address the ethical and legal aspects of practice.
4. The ability to be a Lifelong Learner
Students are required to develop a Learning Contract and are encouraged to research and engage in an area of specialization hitherto unfamiliar to their formal studies. This task impacts the clinical practice for both the UTS clinic and the graduate’s private practice. The nature of the task emphasizes the need for continuing development and research into their areas of chosen specialty. Students are also required to critically think about their chosen topics, reflect on their learning and clinical process. This includes engaging in the latest research and development within the TCM/Western medical fields and applying it to all clinical areas of study and a range of commonly presenting conditions.
5. Engagement with the needs of Society
The resource portfolio and clinical management plan, when well researched and designed, has significant impact on the understanding and implementation of clinical practices and the communication of the benefits and marketing of TCM to the community on both a personal and group level.
The ethical and legal tasks create an awareness of the needs and rights of the patient, practitioner and legal guardians in respect to treatment protocol, privacy, Freedom of Information, record release, refusal of treatment and other similar scenarios.
All of these aspects of learning are further reinforced in the delivery of clinical services as students undertake their clinical hours.
6. Communication skills
Communication, negotiation and team building skills are exercised in essentially all aspects of this subject’s assessment, be it reinforcement of formal academic writing, history taking, computerised clinical data entry, communicating with supervisors, negotiating with coordinators or organising the management of the internship clinics. Students are expected to communicate in a sensitive and appropriate manner with patients and their families, peers, other health professionals, and the public.
7. Initiative and innovative ability
The promotional scheme for marketing the 4th year clinic involves the implementation of some very innovative ideas and strategies. In addition, the degree of uniqueness and flexibility demonstrated within the Learning Contract’s approach specifically targets student creativity and lateral thinking. Students are encouraged to seek out and use resources such as libraries, databases and computer resources to enable independent learning, especially for improving theoretical understanding and clinical practice.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered through public clinic placements, workshops, committee planning sessions, group and individual work tasks, lectures, demonstrations and online pre-study.
Module 1: Clinic
Note: All UTS clinics are rostered and there is an option to complete 50% of the annual clinical hours externally in a UTS approved practitioner clinic provided the option has not been exercised in the Autumn session in Clinic Level 5.
Clinic Level 6 clinical assistant – acupuncture (30 hours) and herbal medicine (10 hours); assist the clinic practitioner
Clinic Level 6 clinical tuina practice - tuina (25 hours); perform tuina massage on booked patients in the UTS Chinese Medicine clinic
Clinic WIKI case histories - clinic attendance involves not only observation of a practitioner in the UTS clinic but also completion of online WIKIs which assess analytical thinking linked to range of professional skills applied during treatment consultations. Number of WIKIs required: (4) acupuncture, (2) herbal and (2) tuina cases. Further information on the WIKIs is posted online.
In this module, feedback is given within the wiki via written comments from the lecturer.
Module 2: Year 4 Clinical Internship Preparation
12 workshops x 2 hours per week. In addition groups may need to communicate outside of class time to plan and progress their work. In this module, verbal feedback is provided based on meeting deadlines and time management.
- This module is comprised of in-class committee based workshops directed at development of the 4th year student clinic management plan. You will be assigned to one of five committees which address rostering, daily management, clinic promotion (advertising and marketing), and discipline. These committees continue throughout the year 4 clinical internship.
- The module includes individual work to (1) develop a personal (Vision) management plan, (2) resource portfolio for your post graduate practice and (3) a Learning Contract which identifies learning topic of choice, objectives, learning strategies and outcome measurements all to be conducted in the upcoming 4th year clinic.
- Additional individual external work will vary depending on the need to obtain 3 specific certifications which are mandatory to enter the 4th year clinic. All must assure currency throughout the entire period of the 4th year clinical experience.
Module 3: CM Health Preservation, Paediatrics and Traumatology
11 lectures x 2 hours per week
This module will be delivered as a mix of lecture, in class quizzes, workshop style presentations, online readings, video viewing and development of a personal reflective journal. Students are expected to complete online pre-class activities such as readings and quizzes to facilitate in-class discussion and activity. Immediate feedback is provided via the online quizzes.
Yang Sheng: lecture, pre-study (details online), workshops
Traumatology: lecture, pre-study and online work (details online)
Paediatrics: online pre-study, in-class quizzes
Content (topics)
Module 1 – Clinic
Students will conduct clinical duties which include:
- general cleaning of clinical equipment and prep for sterilisation, preparing needle and equipment trays,
- assembling herbal prescriptions,
- cleaning and stocking the herbal dispensary,
- taking and recording the patient's history, pulse and tongue details as well as recording the practitioner’s diagnosis and treatment details,
- assuring general patient care and comfort throughout the treatment,
- assisting with clerical duties associated with the clinic,
- booking appointments, both new and follow-up,
- assisting the practitioner as otherwise requested.
Module 2 – Year 4 Clinical Internship Preparation
This module has been divided into two components each of which are designed to prepare students for their entry into their final clinical internship.
Component 1
- The class, working as a group, will produce, to the satisfaction of the subject co-ordinator, a Clinical Management Plan for the final year’s intern programs of Clinical Practice 1 and Clinical Practice 2.
Duties include but are not limited to, rostering students’ clinical hours, appointing student co-ordinators, developing advertising and promotion for the student clinic and other management details deemed necessary for the efficient running of the internship a clinic. This management plan is to be revised and modified until it is acceptable to the subject co-ordinator and must be completed before any student commences their clinical internship. - Each student will develop a personal management plan
- Each student will compile a resource portfolio designed to source solutions to key issues that may face the student in the UTS clinic and as a graduate practitioner.
Component 2
This component requires the development of a negotiated Learning Contract (LC) between student and subject co-ordinator. The LC will follow defined guidelines yet offers a degree of flexibility by allowing the student to choose the learning topic most appropriate to his/her needs. The development process of the LC in itself constitutes a learning exercise, in that students are required to analyse their personal needs, construct the learning method and desired outcomes in relation to the assessment criteria determined by the subject co-ordinator.
Module 3 – Disease States
Paediatric content
The paediatric area of study covers the theory and practice of Chinese medicine paediatrics. The content area below lists the specific areas of study covered in the content of this module and the associated knowledge and skills this entails. The following content is covered:
- Physiological characteristics of children and CM perspectives
- Pathological characteristics and immunisation
- Growth, development (including teething) and care needs
- Health and prevention of disease (+ immunisation) and nursing care
- Assessment and treatment modification
- Childhood disorders: pathology, method of diagnosis, CM differentiation of main paediatric disorders including aetiology, differentiation of syndromes, appropriate treatment principles and strategies and treatment techniques and scope of practices relating to:
- Asthma, colds and cough
- Earaches, tonsilitis, fevers
- Prickly heat
- Infantile diarrhoea / Chronic diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Gan ji
- Colic
- Food allergies
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Acute nephritis
- Eczema (paediatric)
- Measles, mumps, chickenpox
Traumatology content
The traumatology area of study covered in the subject develops further the learners theory and practice of CM traumatology (gu shang ke). It aims to undertake further examine the structure and function of the musculoskeltetal system, revising and developing further skills and knowledge in orthopaedic assessment processes utilised in traumatology. This is combined with knowledge from Chinese medicine and biomedical frameworks to look at the aetiology, pathogenesis and differentiation of syndromes for commonly presenting traumatology conditions in clinical practice. The treatment principles and strategies are also discussed with focus upon a scope of practice (Chinese herbal formulae, acupuncture, massage) along with exercise methods, lifestyle advice and dietary measures for each condition (where appropriate).
Content teaching areas include:
- Traumatology and assessments
- Diagnosis: Red flags and referrals
- Traumatology conditions: pathology, method of diagnosis, CM differentiation of common disorders including aetiology, differentiation of syndromes, appropriate treatment principles and strategies and treatment techniques and scope of practices relating to:
- Soft tissue injuries, Bone and joint injuries
- Disorders of the spinal joints and discs
- Disturbance of the facet joints and ribs,
- Prolapse of intervertebral disc and sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Lower back pain
- Sprains and strains
- Wrist sprain
- Lateral elbow pain
- Soft tissue injury of the knee and hip
- Neck sprain
- Meniscus injury of knee
- Ankle sprain
- Tendon and fascia disorders
- Tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tenosynovitis of bicep and supraspinatus muscles
- Adhesive capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
- Neuropathy
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Thoracic/Brachial outlet syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dislocations and subluxations
- Common fractures and dislocations
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Digits
- Patella
Yang Sheng content
The Yang Sheng content has been approached in three areas of delivery each relating to an important aspect of Yang Sheng which include:
- Principles and methods of Yang Sheng: Principles of Yang Sheng and contribution to a healthy, balanced lifestyle are discussed in this segment of the subject module and will look specifically at the cultivation of internal and external Dan to: nurture life, benefit the body, protect health and promote longevity.
- Food as Therapy: Chinese medicine dietary therapy and clinical applications. This draws upon previous coverage of dietary principles covered in lectures and assessment in 99666 Foundations of Chinese Medicine 2 and content from herbal materia medica.
- Physical and breathing exercises: Qi Gong and movement exercises. You will be introduced to a range of health enhancement exercise that you can apply to yourself or utilise to enhance and assist the health of others. This includes specific Qi Gong exercise and breathing routines.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Clinical Assistant Duties and Assessment
| Intent: | To meet the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An inquiry-oriented approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application 5. Engagement with the needs of Society 6. Communication skills
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | Clinic is normally Rostered throughout the semester however due to course closure, most of the class will have completed their practitioner assistant hours by start of this semester. Note: Practitioner clinics will not run for the entire SPR session. Therefore be aware that once the practitioner clinics are over, there will be no extensions available for students who come up short of their hours. Should this happen, alternative external clinics may need to be arranged. |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Individual Threshold tasks and Exam
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes will be addressed: 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 13 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | Ongoing throughout the session until finished |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Clinical Management Plan
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are addressed: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application. 6. Communication skills. 7. Initiative and innovative ability. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 4: Personal Management (VISION) Plan
| Intent: | This assignment is designed to meet the following graduate attributes: 2. An inquiry-based approach 3. Professional skills and appropriate application 4. Ability to be a life long learner 6. Communication skills 7. Initiative and innovative approach |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 500 words |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 5: Resource Portfolio
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are addressed within the portfolio: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An Inquiry-oriented approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application 5. Engagement with the needs of Society |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 2 pages |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 6: Learning Contract
| Intent: | To address graduate attributes of: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application. 2. An enquiry-orientated approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application 4. The ability to be a lifelong learner 5. Engagement with the needs of society 6. Communication skills 7. Initiative and innovative approach |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 8 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 7: Disease States Module
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are addressed 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An Inquiry oriented approach 3. Professional skills and their appropriate application |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 10, 11, 12, 3 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Criteria: |
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Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must:
• complete all threshold tasks or equivalent assignments to the satisfaction of the subject coordinator,
• submit proof of completion of a Senior First Aid Certificate,
• attend 80 % (minimum) of tutorials,
• Attend threshold task discussions sessions
• Complete and pass all modules
An X grade (fail), regardless of the final mark, will be awarded where the minimum criteria are not met.
In relation to clinical placements and practice workshops, students are expected to:
- behave in an ethical manner;
- observe University clinical policies and procedures;
- observe relevant State and Federal regulations;
- maintain a duty of care to patients and fellow students, and
- demonstrate an acceptable level of professional conduct.
Where a student fails to comply to minimum standards or a reasonable direction from an officer of the University, they may be asked to cease attendance at clinic or practical workshops and/or be awarded an X grade (fail).
Recommended texts
Clinical Procedures and Safe Clinical Practice. Sydney: UTS. (current)
Class notes - will be provided
References
Additional material as advised in class, along with the following:.
Disease States: Yang Sheng
Mitchell, D. 2014, The Four Dragons: Dao Yin Training and the Spine in Nei Gong. London: Jessica Kingsley
Chinese Health Qigong Association. 2014, Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shi Er Fa: 12-movement Health Qigong for All Ages. London: Jessica Kingsley
Disease States: Paediatrics
Dalton-Brewer, N. 2014. Increasing IVF Success with Acupuncture: An Integrated Approach. London: Jessica Kingsley
Wernicke, T. 2014, Shonishin: The Art of Non-invasive Paediatric Acupuncture. London: Jessica Kingsley
Birch, S. 2011. Shonishin: Japanese Pediatric Acupuncture. Stuttgart: Thieme Publishing
Loo, M. 2002. Pediatric Acupuncture. London: Churchill livingstone
Flaws, B. 2009, A Handbook of TCM Pediatrics: A Practitioner's Guide to the Care & Treatment of Common Childhood Disease. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press
Cline, K. 2000, Chinese Pediatric Massage: A Practitioner's Guide. Rochester: Healing Arts Press
Cecil-Stermann, A. 2013, Advanced Acupuncture a Clinic Manual Paperback. Ann Cecil-Sterman
Lyttleton, J. 2013, Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine, (2nd Edition). London: Churchill Livingstone
Maciocia, G. 2011, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine (@nd edition). London: Churchill Livingstone