Unit rationale, description and aim
Occupational therapists use evidence-based practice principles when working with individuals with a variety of health conditions. Occupational therapy is informed by a sound understanding of a person’s health condition, and follows a process that includes goal setting, assessment, intervention and evaluation. This requires the ability to ask, acquire and apply knowledge about health conditions and the occupational therapy process.
This unit builds on students’ knowledge of anatomy, physiology and occupational therapy process frameworks. It introduces students to the evidence-based practice principles to explore the aetiology, incidence, prevalence and effects of health conditions as well as the concepts of assessment and intervention in occupational therapy.
A professional practice placement provides students with opportunities to observe and experience occupational therapy approaches with people with a variety of health conditions in practice while developing professional behaviour and communication skills.
This unit contains a learning outcome from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework (HCF, 2014) specifically addressing the HCF cultural capability - Safety and Quality. This includes consideration of common health conditions among First Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
The overall aim of this unit is to use evidence-based practice principles to acquire knowledge about the aetiology, signs, symptoms, progression, assessment and interventions related to health conditions and to observe occupational therapy approaches with clients in 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.
Explain the relevance of evidence-based practice t...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply evidence-based practice principles (ask, acq...
Learning Outcome 02
Describe the types, purpose, focus, psychometric p...
Learning Outcome 03
HCF 10.1 Identify current demographic, health indi...
Learning Outcome 04
Demonstrate professional behaviours, self-manageme...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Evidence-based practice skills
- Introduction to evidence-based practice
- Relevance of evidence-based practice to occupational therapy
- 'Ask' and 'Acquire' relevant literature
- Appraise, apply and assess occupational therapy research
- Introduction to journal appraisal skills
Assessment in practice
- Definition and scope of assessment in occupational therapy, informed by evidence-based practice
- Reliability and validity of assessments
- Clinical utility of assessments in occupational therapy practice
Intervention in practice:
- Definition and scope of occupational therapy interventions as informed by evidence-based practice
- Introduction to retrieving information about common health conditions
Definition of conditions:
- Primary body/organ system/s involved
- Incidence/Prevalence
- Presentation
- Causes, aetiology and risk factors
- Progression and prognosis
- Current management
- Evidence-informed, occupation-centred, goal-directed measurements and interventions
Incidence and prevalence of common health conditions in non-Indigenous and in First Peoples of Australia
Preparation for professional practice placement
- Student Practice Evaluation Form - Revised (modified) V2
- Professional behaviours
- Self-management
- Co-worker communication
- Communication
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessment 1 is an individual assessment which provides timely feedback to students regarding their acquisition of foundational evidence-based practice skills and knowledge. The online assessment will allow students to demonstrate understanding of evidence-based practice (LO1) and skills in asking and acquiring evidence (LO2) through database searching scenarios. These skills will be applied in assessment 2 and future units in the course.
Assessment 2: Students will present an occupational therapy response to a given health condition, applied to a client scenario. Students will use skills developed in assessment 1 to appraise, apply and assess appropriate evidence, interpret and then present relevant information (LO2,3).
Assessment 3: The exam will assess individual knowledge of the broad core unit concepts including evidence-based-practice and assessment principles, aetiology, signs, symptoms, prognosis/progression and interventions of common health conditions, including for First Peoples and non-Indigenous Australian peoples (LO 1, 2, 3, 4). Examination questions will assess recall and recognition of information, and assess application of knowledge.
Assessment approaches in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors. Each assessment task builds on the previous assessment.
Students will complete an online cultural awareness training module (LO4). Professional practice competencies (LO5) will be assessed using the Student Practice Evaluation Form - Revised Version 2 (Professional behaviours, Self-management, Co-worker communication, Communication domains). Students will be provided with one attempt to pass the professional practice placement.
In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome, pass hurdle tasks, and obtain a minimum mark of 50%.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1 Online individual assessment. To de...
Assessment 1 Online individual assessment.
To demonstrate the ability to ask, acquire and understand evidence when reviewing the literature.
20%
Assessment 2 Assessment 2: Students present an o...
Assessment 2 Assessment 2: Students present an occupational therapy response to a given health condition, applied to a case scenario.
40%
Assessment 3 Written examination Students demons...
Assessment 3 Written examination
Students demonstrate core learning undertaken in the unit.
40%
Hurdle 1) Completion of c...
Hurdle
1) Completion of cultural awareness training
2) Pass grade on the Student Practice Evaluation Form - Revised (SPEF-R2) (Professional behaviours, Self-management, Co-worker communication, Communication domains).
3) Submit SPEF-R2 and Timesheet via Canvas
Note: To be eligible to undertake professional practice placement, students are required to have met the relevant State and Federal legislative document requirements by census date.
Pass/fail
Ungraded Hurdle
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
In this unit, students will gain skills in asking, acquiring, appraising, applying and assessing information about health conditions, assessments and interventions in occupational therapy. Lectures and an online package are used to guide learning. Students will engage with and apply this content in self-directed reading, online tasks, database searching and condition profiles. Students will create weekly condition profiles based on occupational therapy referral scenarios using a template provided. These profiles will become an information resource for future units and can be used on professional practice placement, Tutorials will then follow with a more detailed explanation and exploration of topics to provide opportunities for clarification. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning, to participate actively within group activities and demonstrate respect for the individual as an independent learner. Learning and Teaching approaches included in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors.
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 OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
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 OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO4, LO5
Relating to
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
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
Relating to
Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
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 OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO2, LO3, LO4
Relating to
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 OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5
Relating to
Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
Relevant Learning OutcomeLO5