PUB HLTH 1003 - Communication for Health Sciences

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

This course will be taught in intensive mode over one week during mid-semester break in Semester 2, with online learning activities before and after. The course will be highly interactive and skills-based providing students with the opportunity to assess and improve their communicative competence (oral, written and interpersonal) through self and peer-assessment tasks and by using a variety of media for communication. During the intensive face-to-face week the students will work on a single extended health focus topic and work together in a scenario (a mock clinical practice guidelines committee) that replicates real-world decision-making in health care. Topics will include: basics of interpersonal communication and working in groups; giving & receiving feedback; psychology of communication; assessing communication skills by survey and observation; active listening and building trust and rapport; effect of power differentials in communication; seeking information from experts and consumers; verbal and non-verbal communication; identifying and overcoming communication barriers; group interactions, dynamics and decision making; intersectional collaboration and interdisciplinary communication; foundations of evidence-based practice and policy; developing answerable questions for evidence-based enquiry; developing search strategies (including advanced searching computer skills laboratory); hierarchies of evidence and critical appraisal; summarising and synthesising evidence; developing an evidence-based recommendation; developing dissemination plan; producing health information for different audiences & selecting appropriate media.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 1003
    Course Communication for Health Sciences
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Intensive & online
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of undergraduate study
    Assumed Knowledge PUB HLTH 1001, PUB HLTH 1002, ANAT SC 1002, ANAT SC 1003
    Course Description This course will be taught in intensive mode over one week during mid-semester break in Semester 2, with online learning activities before and after. The course will be highly interactive and skills-based providing students with the opportunity to assess and improve their communicative competence (oral, written and interpersonal) through self and peer-assessment tasks and by using a variety of media for communication. During the intensive face-to-face week the students will work on a single extended health focus topic and work together in a scenario (a mock clinical practice guidelines committee) that replicates real-world decision-making in health care. Topics will include: basics of interpersonal communication and working in groups; giving & receiving feedback; psychology of communication; assessing communication skills by survey and observation; active listening and building trust and rapport; effect of power differentials in communication; seeking information from experts and consumers; verbal and non-verbal communication; identifying and overcoming communication barriers; group interactions, dynamics and decision making; intersectional collaboration and interdisciplinary communication; foundations of evidence-based practice and policy; developing answerable questions for evidence-based enquiry; developing search strategies (including advanced searching computer skills laboratory); hierarchies of evidence and critical appraisal; summarising and synthesising evidence; developing an evidence-based recommendation; developing dissemination plan; producing health information for different audiences & selecting appropriate media.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Clare Hume

    Course Coordinator: Dr Clare Hume
    Phone: +61 8313 6871
    Email: clare.hume@adelaide.edu.au 
    Location: Level 9, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, North Terrace


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate a understanding of how the psychology of communication impacts on interpersonal communication between individuals and groups
    2 Assess their own and others communication skills using structured assessment tools and observation of communicative encounters
    3 Demonstrate skills in active listening and in building rapport and trust in interpersonal communications
    4 Demonstrate an awareness of non-verbal communication skills and the effect of physical presence on effective communication
    5 Use effective interpersonal and written communication skills to: give and receive feedback; obtain information from peers, supervisors, consumers/stakeholders; persuade and argue for a course of action or a compromise between conflicting views
    6 Demonstrate an awareness of the factors influencing workplace behaviour and the interaction of people in workplace teams or groups
    7 Produce evidence-based information using a variety of media which is suitable for a general (consumer) audience
    8 Match the information needs of different audiences to the selection of media and the format of information produced
    9 Integrate learning from a number of disciplinary areas with evidence from various sources to deliberate about a health issue of national or international importance
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    7, 8, 9
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    7, 8, 9
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2, 5, 7, 8
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    7, 8, 9
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1-9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    TEXTBOOK: There is no set text for this course. Readings will be available via MyUni.

    JOURNAL ARTICLE: Hillier S, Grimmer-Somers K, Merlin T, Middleton P, Salisbury J, Tooher R, Weston A. FORM: An Australian method for formulating and grading recommendations in evidence-based clinical guidelines. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2011;11:23

    DOCUMENT: NHMRC: FORM Formulating recommendations in evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

    The journal article and NHMRC FORM document will be available on MyUni

    All learning resources will be provided through My Uni, as will all other course materials such as the course profile, notes for lectures, lecture recordings (where audio-visual equipment is available), tutorial activities, discussion board, quizzes, and assignment information and submission (where appropriate).

    Recommended Resources

    Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine http://www.cebm.net/ 

    BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine Resources http://group.bmj.com/products/evidence-centre/evidence-based-medicine-resources/ebm-resources 

    Healthinsite Australian Government Health Information website http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/ 

    NHMRC Guidelines portal http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines 

    Online Learning

    COMPUTER LABORATORIES AND OTHER COMPUTING SERVICES

    University information on computer laboratories and other computing services is available at:http://www.adelaide.edu.au/technology/yourservices/learning-teaching/student-suites/

    The Health Sciences computer laboratory, S118, is situated on the first floor of the Medical School South Building. Twenty-four hour access to computers is provided at the Barr Smith Library.

    Communication for Health Sciences makes lecture notes and other teaching aids available electronically to students, through MyUni.

    MYUNI

    MyUni is the primary entry point to online learning at Adelaide University. MyUni provides students and staff with access to course materials, discussion forums, announcements, online and many other features to help manage your study or teaching. You can connect to MyUni on or off campus from an internet connected computer using a Web browser. The URL is: www.myuni.adelaide.edu.au/ 

    Login to this resource using your Username and Password. Once logged on to MyUni, you will find the information displayed is customised to present only details relevant to you and the online content for courses that you are studying.

    For enquiries about online education services, what’s available and access, contact the Online Education Helpdesk:

    Phone: (08) 8313 3335

    E-mail: myuni.help@adelaide.edu.au 

    The Helpdesk is available for extended hours during the week or through voicemail.

    In Communication for Health Sciences, you will use MyUni for a number of purposes:-

    Accessing announcements about changes in scheduling, course information etc.

    Accessing lecture notes both in pdf format and, if recording is possible in the allocated lecture theatre, in audio file format.

    Accessing online learning activities including self and peer-assessment tasks, discussion boards, blog posts, wikis

    Accessing online resources

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Online: self assessment of communicative competence and ICT literacy (specifically in the use of ICT tools for communication and research); online discussion; production of an online blog and peer assessment of other students’ work.

    Intensive week: Communication workshops consisting of short lectures and associated practical activities; Health focus activities including short lectures, discussion and opportunity for individual and group work; Health information activities including short lectures, practicals and opportunity for individual and group work
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Approximately 35 hours of face-to-face contact during the intensive week (5 x 7 hours/day) + 40 hours of online learning activities + 6-7 hours of reading & assessment preparation per week (spread over the month prior to and the month following the intensive week, and the intensive week)
    Learning Activities Summary
    A detailed timetable for the intensive week will be made available prior to the commencement of the course.
    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no specific course requirements.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting Learning outcomes addressed
    Participation 10% 1-6,9
    Health communication report 15% 5-9
    Interview skills assessment 15% 1-5
    Group assessment 30% 1,3-7,9
    Health information product 30% 5-9
    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are no special requirements for this course however you are strongly encouraged to attend all components of the intensive week and to be aware that online assessment tasks and activities contributing (in part) to the participation grade will need to be completed during the TWO WEEKS BEFORE the scheduled intensive week.
    Assessment Detail
    Details will be provided closer to the commencement of the course.
    Submission
    All assignments are to be submitted through MyUni unless otherwise advised.

    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission. Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds. Supporting documentation must be provided at the time a student requests an extension. Without documentation, extensions will not be granted. Late requests for extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged. Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the student’s situation. The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact on the student. Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits. In the case of late assignments where no extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted. If an assignment that is 2 days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%.  If that same assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late. Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.

    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.
     
    Resubmission
    If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process. Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with the Course Co-ordinator in the first instance. This must be done within 10 business days of the date of notification of the result. Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator and will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.