Unit Outline

This unit draws together theoretical and clinical concepts related to legal and ethical responsibilities, quality and safety measures, advanced diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making based on knowledge and evidence, in the care of individuals in a variety of settings. This course enables the development of critical thinking and analysis through evidence-based practice. The student will incorporate previously acquired knowledge and skills in patient assessment, decision-making and team communication to enable the delivery of safe and effective care in a variety of out of hospital settings. Clinical decision making theory and advanced diagnostic reasoning and judgement are examined in relation to providing quality health care to patients that avoids adverse events and patient harm.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Develop and justify a range of illness scripts appropriate to out of hospital practice
2.	Discuss common clinical reasoning models, their strengths and weaknesses and how they inform decision-making in clinical practice.
3.	Justify and demonstrate the process of and limitation to clinical reasoning, using appropriate clinical decision-making models
4.	Reflect and evaluate on own practice against principles of evidence-based practice; best evidence, clinician expertise and the interconnection and collaboration with patients, and their impacts on safety, quality of care, patient experience and clinical outcomes

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online quizzes	Week 10	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Critical analysis of clinical practice	Week 11	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Online presentation	Week 12	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Portfolio	Week 13	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quizzes

Task Description:

Quizzes will each consist of 10 applied or case-based multi choice questions (MCQ) randomised from a central question bank.
The quizzes will open at the beginning of semester but require students to work through the content in all three modules.

Task Length:

60 minutes per quiz

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correct answers to MCQs with one attempt only	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Critical analysis of clinical practice

Task Description:

Utilising recent evidence-based literature to support your critical thinking on a clinical issue.

Task Length:

1000 Words

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Context synopsis including presentation, interventions and outcomes	LO1
2	Critical Analysis of the context and decision-making, supported by current EBP	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Appropriate choice of research outputs and evaluation of information	LO3, LO4
4	Use of appropriate professional, academic and referencing conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Online presentation

Task Description:

Assessment task 2 requires completion of a video presentation to a health professional colleague/s.
The video should:
Closely follow the requirements detailed in supplied rubric
Provide a succinct argument about the need for development of clinical reasoning and decision making in paramedicine (2 minute)Provide a short overview of the differences between the novice, average and expert clinical decision-maker (2 minute)Mention the levels of information processing seen in the Novice, Average and Expert (2 minute)
Provide a brief overview/introduction showing the 8 main steps in building an illness script – the illness script presented in the portfolio assignment can be used (4-6 minutes)

Task Length:

10-12 minutes

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate appropriate mentoring/leadership towards colleagues in promoting and progressing the area of clinical decision making in paramedicine.	LO2, LO4
2	Demonstrate insight into key differences between expert, average and novice clinicians.	LO2, LO4
3	Demonstrate reasoned justification of the need for clinical reasoning skills in Paramedicine.	LO3
4	Demonstrate proficiency in developing illness scripts.	LO1

Assessment Task 4: Portfolio

Task Description:

Comprising each student’s choice of their best online discussion posts one chosen from each of the first two modules from the boxes marked “Portfolio Discussion”. The third discussion is a set discussion that is detailed at the end of Module Three.
Discussions will be graded on accuracy, currency, evidence-based research, understanding, analysis, argument and referencing per the supplied rubric in Assessment Section of MyLO.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Context synopsis including presentation, interventions and outcomes	LO1
2	Critical Analysis of the context and decision-making, supported by current EBP	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Appropriate choice of research outputs and evaluation of information	LO3, LO4
4	Use of appropriate professional, academic and referencing conventions	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

There are no required textbooks of this subject, all readings are provided within the unit.