Unit Outline

This unit is concerned with the practice of healthcare in extreme environments. It starts with generic considerations before moving on to examine the following extreme environments in detail: cold, high altitude, desert, maritime, underwater, aviation, and space. The challenges of working each environment are considered, followed by an examination of the physiological changes that occur, and finally the pathophysiology and clinical presentations encountered.

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 characteristics of an extreme environment from a social, psychological, and medical perspective and apply this information to provide solutions to challenges associated with living and working in such environments
2	Explain the processes of acclimatisation and adaptation to extreme environments, where this is physiologically feasible
3	Explain common pathophysiological processes and clinical conditions associated with extreme environments
4	Assess and apply strategies for prevention of medical problems in extreme environments
5	Integrate specialised medical and non-medical knowledge to develop solutions for emergency treatment of medical problems associated with extreme environments

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The unit content is reviewed each year and updated with new content and new references.

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:	Contribution to on-line discussion	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Written Assignment	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Written Assignment	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Contribution to on-line discussion

Task Description:

Three written responses to discussion questions related to remote medicine

Task Length:

1500 words total

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply knowledge of remote medicine in discussion of module-based topics	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Written Assignment

Task Description:

Written assignment, providing an evidence-based analysis of a provided topic

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Organisation and presentation of material, use of logical structure, flow of ideas, spelling and grammar, and follows prescribed referencing and style guide	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Apply knowledge of remote medicine to the provided topic	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Develop well supported arguments that address the provided topic	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Written Assignment

Task Description:

Written assignment providing a comprehensive plan to respond to a provided scenario

Task Length:

4000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Organisation and presentation of material, use of logical structure, flow of ideas, spelling and grammar, and follows prescribed referencing and style guide	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Describe medical capability and other factors required for a planned response to scenario	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.