Unit Outline

In this unit you will integrate and apply learning from previous clinical laboratory medicine units, about the diagnosis and management of complex diseases. A whole of laboratory approach is used to explain the relationship between pathology results and the pathology/pathophysiology of complex diseases. Furthermore, you will gain insight into pathology laboratory organisation, management, and governance. You will explore these topics and apply your learning using an integrated series of learning modules and case studies of increasing complexity This is a transition into practice unit that amalgamates all your prior clinical learning and skills and situates it in the diagnostic pathology landscape, in preparation for your subsequent clinical placement units. This unit is co-taught with a related unit to students in the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, and although you will be provided with similar knowledge and laboratory skills as these students, you will also undertake additional learning activities and assessment. This is necessary for you to develop and demonstrate the higher level investigatory and communication skills to satisfy the Australian Qualification Framework level 9 requirements of a Master’s degree.

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.	Describe the staffing and management structure of a typical pathology laboratory and how the various operational units are integrated to provide a comprehensive pathology service.
2.	Describe the external regulatory framework and evaluate the associated standards under which pathology laboratories operate and are accredited.
3.	Interpret results from multiple disciplines and discuss how they relate to the pathophysiology, pathology, diagnosis, and management of disease.
4.	Plan laboratory investigations for the diagnosis and management of disease.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA625, CXA632, CXA642, CXA652

Alterations 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:	Quiz on laboratory structure and regulation	Week 2	0 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Audit of laboratory activity	Week 3	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Case study 1 analysis	Week 5	15 %	LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Case study 2 analysis	Week 8	30 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Case study 3 analysis	Week 13	40 %	LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quiz on laboratory structure and regulation

Task Description:

Formative quiz on laboratory structure and regulation. This is a hurdle assessment tasks and you must achieve 100% on the task to be eligible for a pass in the unit. Multiple attempts are permitted on the individual questions that are incorrectly answered.

Task Length:

60 minutes

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify the position of laboratory staff in relation to responsibility and position in management structure.	LO1
2	Identify the role of key regulatory agencies and instruments in the overall regulation of the operation of a pathology laboratory	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Audit of laboratory activity

Task Description:

Conduct a mock internal audit of a specific laboratory task/test against the relevant regulatory standard by reading the laboratory procedure manual, sighting other relevant documents and/or observing a video of the task being performed.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify non-conformities against the standard.	LO1, LO2
2	Recommend corrective action.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 3: Case study 1 analysis

Task Description:

Case study 1 analysis.
Observe and interpret a set of Laboratory results from multiple disciplines against the clinical history of a patient with a relatively simple disease.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify significant abnormal results.	LO3
2	Relate pathology results to pathology and pathophysiology of disease process.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Case study 2 analysis

Task Description:

Case study 2 analysis.
Observe and interpret a set of Laboratory results from multiple disciplines against the clinical history of a patient with a complex disease.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify significant abnormal results	LO3
2	Suggest a diagnosis and relate pathology results to pathology and pathophysiology of disease process.	LO3
3	Plan additional laboratory investigations to confirm the diagnosis.	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Case study 3 analysis

Task Description:

Case study 3 analysis.
Observe and interpret a set of pathology results from multiple disciplines against the clinical history of a patient with a complex disease and comorbidities.

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 13

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.