Unit rationale, description and aim
Occupational therapists apply professional reasoning to enable them to enhance their clients' health, well-being and occupational participation. Their reasoning draws upon an ability to apply existing professional skills, knowledge and attitudes, and find best available evidence. Therapists need an ability to identify gaps in their knowledge and skills and to efficiently seek and gather relevant information to address those gaps required for effective practice. Students will work in a small group with their peers, using enquiry-based learning methods to practise assimilating the skills, knowledge, attitudes and evidence-based practice skills they have accumulated over the course of their degree. They will also seek new information to address their knowledge gaps. They will apply these in addressing complex case scenarios drawn from contemporary clinical practice. These scenarios are directly transferable to students' transition to real-world practice and beyond. Learning and assessment in this unit is linked to and supports the practice experience undertaken within the unit OTHY405. This unit contains learning outcomes from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework (HCF, 2014) specifically addressing the HCF cultural capabilities Reflect and Advocate.
The overarching aim of this capstone unit is to equip students with life-long learning strategies they can use during their transition to occupational therapy practice.
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.
Apply entry to practice level professional knowled...
Learning Outcome 01
Use valid measurement of key person, environment a...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply entry to practice skills in critical evaluat...
Learning Outcome 03
HCF 11.3 Design practical strategies to enable ong...
Learning Outcome 04
HCF 12.3. Develop strategies for mitigating the po...
Learning Outcome 05
HCF 17.3. Advocate for equitable health care for A...
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
- Therapeutic use of self
- Reflective practice
- Evidence based practice
- Professional and clinical Reasoning
- Service delivery models
- Measuring outcomes-client and service level
- Interdisciplinary practice and team work
- Local and global influences on practice
- Integrating conceptual and practice models into everyday practice
- Culturally safe and responsive practice for First Peoples
- Enquiry based thinking processes
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. The assessment strategy for this unit includes a combination of individual written assessment, group oral presentation, and a conference-style written and oral poster presentation. These assessment strategies reflect expected capabilities of final year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy students as well as expected skills of graduate occupational therapists. Assessment approaches in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors.
Assessment 1 is a graded hurdle as it tests students' achievement of LO4 which is not addressed in other assessments in this unit. Students will have one further attempt at a graded hurdle if a pass grade of 50% for the assessment is not achieved on the first attempt.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Individual written and oral assign...
Assessment 1: Individual written and oral assignment.
This requires students to submit a written reflection and oral personal statement about their own journey towards developing cultural capabilities for leadership in advocating for change towards equitable health care for First Peoples.
35%
Graded Hurdle
Assessment 2: Group oral presentations. This req...
Assessment 2: Group oral presentations.
This requires students to demonstrate their ability to orally present a reasoned response/intervention plan related to issues contained in a practice scenario.
45%
Assessment 3: Poster presentation. This requires...
Assessment 3: Poster presentation.
This requires students to convey, in written and oral format, outcomes from a project designed to enhance evidence-informed, person centred and occupationally based practices (connected to OTHY405).
20%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include a combination of lectures, practical sessions and enquiry based learning methods using complex scenarios. As adult learners, students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and to participate actively within group activities. This learning strategy has been chosen for this unit as it enables students to refine their skills in using existing professional knowledge and skills and reflexive practices, identifying their own further learning needs, and efficiently undertake new learning using self-directed means. Learning and Teaching approaches included in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors and include tutorial co-facilitation by cultural mentors.
Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2018
In connection to the learning outcomes, Australian occupational therapy competency standards (AOTCS) 2018 developed within this unit are:
Relating to
Professionalism
An occupational therapist practises in an ethical, safe, lawful and accountable manner, supporting client health and wellbeing through occupation and consideration of the person and their environment.
An occupational therapist:
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Adheres to legislation relevant to practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Identifies and uses relevant professional and operational support and supervision
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Knowledge and learning
An occupational therapist’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice are informed by relevant and contemporary theory, practice knowledge and evidence, and are maintained and developed by ongoing professional development and learning.
An occupational therapist:
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Relating to
Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Implements a specific learning and development plan when moving to a new area of practice or returning to practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains digital literacy for practice.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Occupational therapy process and practice
An occupational therapist’s practice acknowledges the relationship between health, wellbeing and human occupation, and their practice is client-centred for individuals, groups, communities and populations.
An occupational therapist:
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Implements an effective and accountable process for delegation, referral and handover
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Contributes to quality improvement and service development.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Communication
Occupational therapists practise with open, responsive and appropriate communication to maximise the occupational performance and engagement of clients and relevant others.
An occupational therapist:
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Works ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to understand and incorporate relevant cultural protocols and communication strategies, with the aim of working to support self-governance in communities
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
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Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6