99669 Clinical Practice 3
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: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (91706 Neuroscience OR 91527 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 3) AND 99647 Clinic Level 6 AND 91611 Clinical Practicum (Therapy and Diagnosis) AND 99584 Clinical Features of Disease AND 92227 Communication for Healthcare Professionals AND (91400 Human Anatomy and Physiology OR 91528 Health and Homeostasis) AND (91703 Physiological Systems OR 91529 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology 1)
Anti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)
Description
In this subject, student applies the full range of practitioner responsibilities (case interview with manual and digital record keeping; examinations such as pulse, tongue and channel palpation; formulation of a diagnosis and execution of the treatment plan) while under the supervision of the clinical supervisors. Clinical training is rostered and conducted on campus at the UTS Chinese Medicine Clinic which provides a low-cost service to the public.
Students undertake a case history presentation (oral and written) and engage in a series of tutor and peer reviewed assessments with feedback.
To enter the Year 4 clinic, students must have successfully completed:
- all subjects in Years 1–3
- all clinical hours attached to clinic level subjects 1–6
- all WIKIs attached to the clinical hours of clinic level subjects 1–6
- a senior first aid certificate, current through to the Year 4 clinic period
- a current police check
- a current Working with Children Certification (WWCC)
- a student disability declaration
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply scientific methodology to treatment outcomes and evidence based practice. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply a range of technical, personal, practical and professional skills in appropriate and ethical ways within the Chinese Medicine context. |
| 3. | Demonstrate quantitative and graphical literacy skills. |
| 4. | Analyse and critically revise the treatment process based on current and/or desired outcomes. |
| 5. | Engage in self-reflection. |
| 6. | Communicate with appropriate English language and demonstrate professional Academic English writing skills. |
| 7. | Demonstrate an ability to think and work creatively, be self-starting and understand the application of scientific skills to unfamiliar situations. |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application
This is a capstone subject where emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge learnt throughout the program. The formal clinical application is conducted within the public UTS Chinese Medicine Clinic.
The annotated bibliography builds upon previous knowledge through self-directed research into evidence-based clinical trials on a topic of choice.
The case history presentation provides oral and written peer feedback on unique and difficult case presentations.
2. An Inquiry-oriented approach
Your clinical experience is designed to encourage and apply critical thinking to the clinical situation.
The Seminar Module further reinforces the inquiry processes started in the clinic then expanded in the classroom under peer review and feedback.
The Annotated Bibliography assignment will expose you to scientific protocol for inquiry based online research.
3. Professional skills and their appropriate application
A number of professional skills are demonstrated in this subject. You are required to undertake a full range of clinical management duties including marketing, rostering, peer discipline and daily management. You will implement the formal clinical management plan which was developed in Clinic Level 6 of the previous year.
You will engage directly with members of the public as an intern practitioner thus facilitating full implementation of the responsibilities of a primary care practitioner. Special attention is placed on legal, professional and ethical responsibilities
4. The ability to be a Lifelong Learner
The clinical situation often presents with unusual and sometimes unfamiliar disease conditions or patterns. As part of the clinical learning experience, students are expected to engage in active research to develop effective treatment strategies. This is undertaken in informal activities such discussions with peers and clinical supervisors and formally, through online data search as used in the Annotated bibliography.The case presentation with critical peer review stresses the need for life-long learning.
5. Engagement with the needs of Society
The student pratitioner clinic will engage you directly with members of the public and their particular cultural needs.
In addition, the Concord Hospital oncological experience specifically addresses the growing public need for psychological, pain and symptomatic relief of the side effects of radiation and chemo therapy.
The additional advantages of the overseas clinical program, which is linked with this subject develops an awareness of cultural differences and their impact on treatment approach and patient expectations.
6. Communication skills
You have multiple opportunities to develop a high level of communication skills in this subject.
As a student clinical practitioner, you will engage in a variety of active and passive communication with patients, peers and supervisors.
Management communication is exercised through daily clinical operation of the reception area and the herbal dispensary.
The Annotated Bibliography requires written communication utilising academic English and demonstrating an understanding of scientific terminology in relation to research.
The Case History Presentation will reinforce your skills in public speaking and written academic English.
7. Initiative and innovative ability
When you fully engage as an independent student practitioner, you will come to realise the limitations of your knowledge and skills. This provides incentive and the opportunity to exercise adaptive thinking to address challenging clinical situations thereby ensuring delivery of a valued service to your patients.
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is delivered through (1) practical acupuncture and herbal clinics, (2) an analytical oral and written case history presentation requiring multimedia skills, professional terminology, appropriate English language, and (3) a negotiated practical and written Learning Contract project requiring design, outcome measurements, graphics, reflection and English language skills.
UTSOnline is used for:
- the subject outline
- publishing the current year's Clinic Management Plan
- additional supplementary information to support the assessment tasks
- clinic and presentation rosters
- posting of marking criteria
- Turnitin (plagiarism detection software) submission
- inter-student discussion board
- announcements
- pre-clinical videos which will be used to support the clinical competency assessment
Feedback is tutor, peer and clinical supervisor based, formatted as interactive in-class oral and written critique, and a written competency based clinical (formative or summative) assessment.
Collaborative group work is utilised within the clinical setting where students are expected to assist each other with the daily management of the clinic.
Pre-census feedback is provided during the Week 1 Q & A session where discussion provides an opportunity to:
- discuss conflict management between rostered clinical attendance and personal commitments
- review for the face-to-face presentation (attendance and participation)
- review the process involved in constructing an annotated bibliography and its marking criteria
1. Clinic Module
Although students are expected to perform their own treatments, they must first refer to the clinical manager for diagnostic and treatment clearance.
Students must meet the following treatment quotas:
- Acupuncture: 43 treatments
- Herbal: 30 treatments plus 50 herbal hours
The total number of patient treatments must equal 73 plus a minimum of 50 herbal hours. Students must keep a log book of their treatments and enter the patient data in to the clinic database. A cross check of the student logbook against the database is conducted towards the end of the academic session. Both sets of records must match before quotas are accepted as complete.
Students are responsible for all aspects of managing, marketing and running the intern clinic. The Clinical Management Plan, constructed in the previous Clinic Level 6 subject, forms the basis for all procedural and clinical duties.
Students must, at all times, act professionally, ethically and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
Clinical responsibilities include:
- set up and care of all the essential acupuncture and herbal equipment
- dispensing of herbal medicines
- herbal instruction to the patients
- following aseptic techniques as required by the NSW Skin Penetration Regulations and UTS Clinical Procedures Manual,
- patient diagnosis, treatment principle, selection of treatment protocols (both acupuncture and herbal)
- recording treatment outcomes
- providing patient advice
- maintaining accurate, complete and legible patient records inclusive of diagnosis and treatment protocols
- updating manual and electronic records in compliance with new state and federal regulations
- recording adverse events ((in the file and HIRO)
- referral as required.
Verbal formative feedback is provided from the clinical supervisor throughout the module. The summative feedback is given via the competency assessment task.
Students must not undertake any treatment without FIRST having their diagnosis and treatment approved and SIGNED OFF by the supervisor on duty.
Students must not self-prescribe herbs. All herbal products must be dispensed after a proper consultation and with the sign-off of the supervisor.
2. Competency Assessment
At an appointed time, the student will undergo a clinical competency assessment which includes the patient interview, diagnosis and treatment phases, record keeping, herbal dispensing and anything additional as deemed necessary by the clinical assessor.
Students will need to obtain the consent of the patient and inform them that a clinical assessor will be observing the treatment process, including the gathering of case history information. Students may be assessed at any time during the academic session but it must be completed by week 10.
3. Seminar Module
2 hours per week, number of weeks to be determined by number of enrollees.
Students will prepare and then present an oral case history on a topic not covered in previous presentations or the Learning Contract. A minimum of two personally administered treatments must be covered, on the same patient, for purposes of discussing treatment outcomes, accuracy of diagnosis, treatment strategy and learning opportunities.
Class feedback will be provided to each presenter orally and in written format. The written comments will be given to the presenter at the time of assignment return.
Single formal peer assessment: Every student will undertake an anonymous, written peer assessment of one presenter using a criterion based grade sheet. This process is designed to develop student capacity to critically analyse another’s work.
Tutor assessment: The tutor will also provide a mark using the same criteria based grade sheet. The outcome of the tutor's assessment will be compared with that which was done in the previous academic session. This provides unique feedback which tracks progress across a year of clinical experience.
4. Annotated Bibliography
Students will undertake a literature review of 10-15 pieces of evidence-based research on a specific area of clinical practice. The topic must not be related to any previous case presentation or Learning Contract. A summative reflective report will compare and contrast the evidence. A criteria based grade sheet is posted in UTSOnline for guidance and the assessment will be returned at the end of the academic session.
Content (topics)
There are no formal lectures in this subject.
The content of the Case Presentations and Annotated Bibliography is flexible and determined by the student within certain established criteria.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Supervised Clinical Practice and Competency Assessment
| Intent: | This task addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An inquiry-oriented 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 ability |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 01, 02 and 04 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Clinical attendance and assessment period is on-going throughout the year (Feb-Dec). Start and end dates TBA and rostered. NOTE: Normal end date for this subject is the last teaching week 11 however it is recognised that quotas may not have been reached in time therefore clinic will continue until quotas are met. |
| Criteria: | The competency criteria for this task are published on UTSOnline. Students who do not complete an assessment during the semester will be deemed as having failed this task and may receive an X grade and loss of allotted marks. |
Assessment task 2: Case Presentation
| Intent: | This task addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application 2. An inquiry-oriented 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 ability |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 01, 04, 05 and 06 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0, .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Oral presentations will run for 15 minutes with 5-10 minutes Q & A time. (Subject to change) |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria can be downloaded from UTSOnline. The task is assessed on a number of levels by both peers and staff and cover general areas such content, delivery and evidence of critical thought and reflection. |
Assessment task 3: Annotated Bibliography
| Intent: | This task addresses the following graduate attributes: 1. An inquiry-oriented approach 4. The ability to be a Lifelong Learner 6. Communication skills |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 01, 03, 04, 05, 06 and 07 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | There is a 500 word limit on the individual annotation section. The final comparative and Summative Reflective report: max 1000 words |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria can be downloaded from UTSOnline. In general students will be assessed on:
|
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject all of the following must be met prior to departure for overseas:
• Students are expected to attend all oral presentations.
• Students must complete an annotated bibliography.
• Students must complete and pass a Clinical Competency Assessment.
• All treatment quotas must be met.
• All patient records must be complete and entered in to the patient database.
Where a student fails to comply to minimum standards or a reasonable direction from an officer of the University, the
student may be asked to cease attendance at clinic or practical workshops and/or be awarded an X grade (fail).
Clinic attendance is based upon a treatment quota system. Once a treatment quota is reached, the allotted hours are
deemed to be completed. Students will then be asked to no longer attend clinics. You will not be permitted to continue
to treat patients once you have finished your quota without the express permission of the 4th year Clinical Program
Co-ordinator.
Attendance at clinic should be co-ordinated with the student roster managers.
X Grade: X > 45 Unsatisfactory performance in an assessment item for which a pass is compulsory. This grade
indicates to the Results Ratification Committee those students who have failed a subject overall with a mark of 45 or
more, and are ineligible to pass because of their failure in a compulsory assessment item. There is no formal upper
limit for this grade. An X grade may be awarded by the subject coordinator for a failure to complete any of the threshold
tasks within the specified times or, in consultation with the clinical manager, in relation to a students competency
within clinical placements and or practical classes.
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).
Q grades may be awarded where outstanding clinic hours remain.
Recommended texts
UTS College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Clinical Policy and Procedures Manual, Sydney:
UTS (current). New South Wales Department of Health (1990) Skin Penetration Regulations
References
Chirali, I. Z. (1999) Traditional Chinese Medicine Cupping Therapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Deng, T. (1999) Practical Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Liu, W. P. (1996) Therapeutics of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Hong Kong: Medicine and Health Publishing Co.
Maciocia, G. (1987) Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. Seattle: Eastland Press
Rogers, C. (1996) Point Location and Point Dynamics Manual. Sydney: Acupuncture
Colleges Publishing.
Wang, J. & Robertson, J. (2008) Applied Channel Theory in Chinese Medicine - Wang Ju-Yi's Lectures on Channel Therapeutics. Seattle: Eastland Press
www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au
Additional material as advised