Unit rationale, description and aim
The paramedic requires comprehensive knowledge of the challenges faced by marginalized and diverse groups and the specific health care issues encountered by these groups. This unit explores issues relating to the professional practice of paramedics and the unique challenges faced by paramedics as their role and scope of practice evolves to meet the changing needs of culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
This capstone unit enables students to undertake a community engagement project which explores the concepts of the continuum of care, human dignity, patient-centred care and diversity from a paramedic practice perspective. Students will extend on the concepts introduced in the unit PARA314 and engage with a community group in order to identify the group's perspective on their specialty needs as a potential consumer of paramedic services. This engagement will underpin a project aimed at proposing a paramedic practice modification or enhancement which is informed by the needs of the community they engage with.
The aim of this unit is to assist students to understand the changing health needs of diverse and marginalised populations through community engagement and how to provide health care to a range of distinctive population groups.
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 a research approach aimed at exploring the n...
Learning Outcome 01
Evaluate a range of communication strategies in or...
Learning Outcome 02
Identify the needs of a specific community group a...
Learning Outcome 03
Propose practice modifications within paramedic pr...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Continuum of care
- Patient centred care
- Diversity
- Marginalised groups
- Human dignity
- Communication strategies
- Community engagement
- Indigenisation
- Internationalisation
- Language
- Culture
- Social justice
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.
Third/final year sees the students continue their transition toward being an independent practitioner. The evidence synthesis assessment task engages final year students with their pending professional working environment and the preservation of human dignity. The written discussions evaluate knowledge and understanding critical to the delivery of health care to disadvantaged, marginalised and diverse groups. The proposal to modify paramedic practice evaluates understanding of theory and practice in paramedicine in the continuum of care for disadvantaged, marginalised and diverse groups and inspires students to develop innovative new practice interventions to improve health care delivery to these groups.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge which, by the conclusion of this programme, will allow the student to graduate as a safe and effective paramedic.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate that they have achieved each learning outcome and obtained a total mark of 50% in the unit as the minimum standard.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Evidence Synthesis Synthesise ...
Assessment Task 1: Evidence Synthesis
Synthesise contemporary literature to understand the communication needs of a community group.
40%
Assessment Task 2: Reflective Journal Enables st...
Assessment Task 2: Reflective Journal
Enables students to think deeply and articulate ideas for improvement on issues relating to the dignity of the individual and social justice in health care delivery.
20%
Assessment Task 3: Proposal to Modify Paramedic P...
Assessment Task 3: Proposal to Modify Paramedic Practice
Enables students to showcase their learning experiences in a professional manner ensuring that documentation meets the professional and ethical requisites for practice.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Modes of delivery in this unit include lectures, online activities, community engagement activities and self-directed study. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies used within these modes of delivery will provide students with advanced knowledge and skills relevant to community engagement activities and innovative paramedic 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.
Located in the third/final year of the programme, this unit includes community engagement activities and self-directed learning during which students will undertake meaningful engagement with a community group in order to identify their unique needs. Strategies and objectives of engagement are subject to negotiation with and approval of the unit LIC. Lectures are utilised to convey content and its central principles while computer assisted learning deliver interactive learning sessions which assist students in applying the theory to practice while also providing an opportunity to consolidate knowledge and implement theoretical concepts. Students will be presented with a selection of case scenarios during in-class activities that will guide the learning of the unit.
These assessments are required to build student knowledge which, by the conclusion of this programme, will allow the student to graduate as a safe and effective paramedic.
Professional Capabilities for a Registered Paramedic
The Paramedicine Board of Australia is responsible for assessing, consulting on and setting the standards for paramedics practicing in Australia. These standards and relevant domains are articulated in the Professional Capabilities for a Registered Paramedic document. The learning outcomes of this unit are matched to the relevant capabilities, in order to align your development with the requirements of a paramedic.
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (Second Edition)
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards developed in this unit are: