Unit rationale, description and aim
This unit aims to address three key challenges in exercise physiology: how can practitioners use evidence-based strategies to promote adherence to their prescriptions; how do they respond to the unique needs and stages of change for different clients; and how do they play a role in the management of mental health within their scope of ethical practice. This is consistent with the professional standards for Accredited Exercise Physiologists. This unit aims to provide students with concrete, evidence-based skills and strategies for promoting adherence to exercise prescriptions. These include theory and research-driven interventions for evoking motivation for change, for enhancing commitment to programs, and for multidisciplinary management of mental health concerns.
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.
Demonstrate skills in motivational interviewing to...
Learning Outcome 01
Design evidence-based programs that promote adhere...
Learning Outcome 02
Create evidence-based recommendations for multidis...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- Evidence-based practice
- Motivational interviewing
- Behaviour change techniques
- Understanding and referral of mental health concerns
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. The first assessment task (Assessment and Treatment Planning for clients presenting with Mental Health challenges, Structural Clinical Examination) enables students to demonstrate their interpersonal and critical thinking skills around managing a client who presents in the initial consultation with ambivalence for exercise (Learning Outcome 1). The second assessment task (Behaviour Change Technique Case Study) enables students to use evidence-based practices (Part 1) and justify clinical decisions related to behaviour change techniques (Part 2) (Learning Outcome 2). The third assessment task (Assessment and Treatment Planning for clients presenting with Mental Health challenges, Structural Clinical Examination) enables students to demonstrate practical competencies in assessing, referring and supporting clients who have physical and mental health concerns (Learning Outcome 3). This third assessment task has a hurdle task component, which requires students to demonstrate, at a minimum, the essential interpersonal skills competencies needed to refer a client for additional mental health support. Students will be given two opportunities to successfully complete the hurdle component of this assessment with space for provision of individual feedback between opportunities if required.
To pass this unit and meet the learning outcomes students must achieve both a pass in the ungraded hurdle, and an aggregate score of ≥50% to pass the unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1. Motivational Interviewing Demonstr...
Assessment 1.
Motivational Interviewing Demonstration Video
Enables students to demonstrate their practical and critical thinking skills around managing ambivalence in clients
25%
Assessment 2. Behaviour Change Technique Case St...
Assessment 2.
Behaviour Change Technique Case Study
Enables students to prepare a report for a client with evidence based justification of their decision
Part 1 - 25%
Part 2 - 25%
Assessment 3. Assessment and Treatment Planning ...
Assessment 3.
Assessment and Treatment Planning for clients presenting with Mental Health challenges, Structured Clinical Examination
Enables students to demonstrate practical competencies in assessing, referring and treatment planning for mental health conditions.
25%
+ Hurdle component
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Learning and teaching strategies have been designed to give graduates long-term retention of skills, useful in professional contexts. Initial transmission of core content is available through web-based learning to allow students flexibility and easy revision. Workshops contain active learning, case-based learning, cooperative learning to provide opportunities for constructive feedback on practical skills. They also contain opportunities for simulated learning with reflective/critical thinking activities to foster the development of professional skills. Content is delivered over 12 weeks for spaced practice. Learning and teaching strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent adult learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities.