Unit rationale, description and aim
Health care delivery is focussed on the person - generally at a time of great vulnerability. This unit is required by students to assist them in understanding the people they will interact with in clinical practice through an understanding of human behaviour.
This unit focuses on the person as the centre of the health care experience. Health and wellness will be explored from a biopsychosocial and lifespan perspective. Psychological concepts and theories underpinning human behaviour, health behaviour acquisition, therapeutic communication and health behaviour change will be introduced. These concepts will be applied to the personal and professional self and then to practice.
The aim of this unit is to support students to develop the capacity to practice person-centred care, with a focus on outcomes which are best for the person and/or groups they care for and interact with.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the development of the person from a life...
Learning Outcome 01
Explain the role of resilience in human behaviour
Learning Outcome 02
Discuss and apply an understanding of psychologica...
Learning Outcome 03
Explain and evaluate the theoretical and professio...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Becoming a health professional:
- Working with people
- Self-awareness
- Professional communication
- Therapeutic Use of Self
- Active listening skills
- Therapeutic use of professional relationships
- Biopsychosocial approaches to understanding health and health behaviour
- The effects of social class, gender and ethnicity on health behaviour
- Human behaviour:
- Lifespan development: psychosocial and cognitive
- Family: forms, functions and roles
- How people learn: learning models and theories
- Personality
- Personality and health
- Health behaviour:
- Models of health behaviour
- Importance of understanding health behaviour: National Health Priorities
- Health behaviour change:
- Health behaviour change models
- Foundation skills for behaviour change: therapeutic communication; professional boundaries Approaches to behaviour change
- Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
- Building Resilience:
- Healthcare consumers
- Health professionals
- Building safe and supportive environments working with specific vulnerable populations
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. These assessments are required to build student knowledge and skills which, by the conclusion of this programme, will enable the student to graduate as a safe and effective nurse.
The online quizzes provide students with an opportunity for early, low stakes assessment to measure their progress within the unit and to adjust their study habits accordingly. The written assessment examines the understanding of the person from a lifespan perspective taking into consideration the role of resilience in human behaviour and experience with behavioural change. The oral exam is required to ensure students understand the basis of communication and engagement with individuals and groups – a skill central to working within a person-centred profession. The variety in these unit assessments is required to ensure students are able to communicate with both the individual and the group across a range of settings – all health care professionals require sound communication skills for successful graduate practice in person-centred professions.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1 - Quizzes Early, low stakes as...
Assessment Task 1 - Quizzes
Early, low stakes assessment.
20%
Assessment Task 2 - Written Assessment Personal ...
Assessment Task 2 - Written Assessment
Personal experience with behavioural change.
40%
Assessment Task 3 - Oral Exam and Reflection (g...
Assessment Task 3 - Oral Exam and Reflection
(group work with individual allocation of grades)
Communication activity - engaging with individuals and groups.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit requires students to undertake 150 hours of focused learning to achieve the unit learning outcomes. Modes of delivery in this unit include lectures, tutorials, online activities and self-directed study. In addition, this unit fosters student-centred active learning and accommodates diverse student needs. It includes a combination of self-paced, online learning and real-time classes. Early and additional feedback on learning, and tailored support, are provided to facilitate students’ transition to university.
Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with foundational knowledge and skills relevant to professional nursing 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.
Students entering university need significant support to transition into a learning and teaching environment where they are required to drive their own learning. To guide students in their learning, feedback is required to identify what is being done well, what requires additional work and to identify progress toward required learning outcomes. Located in the first year of the programme, this theory unit includes significant face-to-face teaching hours and a directed online component to introduce students to managing their study off-campus. Lectures are utilised to convey content and its central principles while tutorials deliver interactive learning sessions which include formative feedback to build foundational tertiary study skills while also providing an opportunity to establish group-work and learning community skills. Online materials are introduced to provide students with a foundation for ongoing, directed, self-motivated study.
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these Midwife standards for practice provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts. They also inform women, and others including consumers, those who regulate, educate, collaborate with and manage midwives on what to expect from a midwife’s practice.
Relating to
Promotes health and wellbeing through evidence-based midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Identifies what is important to women as the foundation for using evidence to promote informed decision-making, participation in care, and self-determination
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidenced-based health initiatives and programs, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2
Relating to
Engages in professional relationships and respectful partnerships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Supports the choices of the woman, with respect for families and communities in relation to maternity care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Partners with women to strengthen women’s capabilities and confidence to care for themselves and their families
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Practises ethically, with respect for dignity, privacy, confidentiality, equity and justice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Practises without the discrimination that may be associated with race, age, disability, sexuality, gender identity, relationship status, power relations and/or social disadvantage
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Practises cultural safety that is holistic, free of bias and exposes racism
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Practises in a way that respects that family and community underpin the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Develops, maintains and concludes professional relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Undertakes comprehensive assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Analyses information and data and communicates assessments and anticipated outcomes as the basis for midwifery practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Develops a plan for midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Interprets assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Provides safety and quality in midwifery practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Is responsible for consultation and referral and/or escalation in situations that are outside the individual’s scope of practice, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Provides and accepts effective and timely direction, allocation, delegation, teaching and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4
Relating to
Evaluates and monitors progress towards planned goals and anticipated outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Relating to
Uses evaluation and reflection to inform future practice and professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
In connection to the learning outcomes, these are the national Registered nurse standards for practice for all RNs. Together with NMBA standards, codes and guidelines, these Registered nurse standards for practice should be evident in current practice, and inform the development of the scopes of practice and aspirations of RNs.
Relating toThinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toAccesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toDevelops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toRespects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toUses ethical frameworks when making decisions
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toContributes to quality improvement and relevant research.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toEngages in therapeutic and professional relationships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating toEstablishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating toCommunicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating toRecognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating toActively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person-centred care
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO4
Relating toMaintains the capability for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toConsiders and responds in a timely manner to the health and wellbeing of self and others in relation to the capability for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toProvides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toUses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toIdentifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO3, LO4
Relating toComprehensively conducts assessments
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating toUses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating toWorks in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/ or for referral, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating toAssesses the resources available to inform planning.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO3, LO4
Relating toDevelops a plan for nursing practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating toUses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating toProvides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toProvides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toPractises within their scope of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toPractises in accordance with relevant policies, guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toUses the appropriate processes to identify and report potential and actual risk related system issues and where practice may be below the expected standards.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toEvaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toEvaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toRevises the plan based on the evaluation, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4
Relating toDetermines, documents and communicates further priorities, goals and outcomes with the relevant persons.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO4