Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
ALHT106 Psychology for Allied Health AND OTHY108 Evidence-Based Practice and Health Conditions
Unit rationale, description and aim
Occupational therapists enable participation in meaningful activities to enhance health and wellbeing of individual, groups and communities.
Therapeutic communication is required to support people to achieve their participation goals. This involves ethical, culturally safe and strengths-based communication. Building on introductory communication skills developed in first year, students will analyse the theory, develop and implement their approach to therapeutic communication using simulated scenarios.
This unit contains a learning outcome from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework (HCF, 2014) specifically addressing the HCF cultural capability of communication. Students will develop the knowledge and skills required for culturally safe communication when interacting with First Peoples individuals, families and communities.
The aim of this unit is to identify, apply and evaluate the theory and therapeutic communication skills required to effectively enable individuals and groups to achieve their occupational goals.
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.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify, analyse and apply knowledge of therapeutic communication for individuals, groups and communities. | GC2, GC7, GC11 |
| LO2 | Apply knowledge to design, facilitate, and evaluate an occupational therapy group with a range of clients and contexts. | GC2, GC4, GC7, GC12 |
| LO3 | Critically reflect on communication skills and how this might impact on individual and group interactions you have with others. | GC2, GC7 |
| LO4 | Apply and critically reflect on ethical and professional behaviours in occupational therapy individual and group work contexts. | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
| LO5 | HCF 6.3 Incorporate knowledge and skills of culturally safe communication when interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and family members | GC2, GC5 |
Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2018
Australian occupational therapy competency standards (AOTCS) 2018 developed in this unit are:
| Standard/Attributes/Criteria | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
Standard 1 - Professionalism An occupational therapist practises in an ethical, safe, lawful and accountable manner, supporting client health and wellbeing through occupation and consideration of the person and their environment. An occupational therapist: 1.1. Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of Conduct 1.2 Adheres to legislation relevant to practice 1.3 Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships 1.4 Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships 1.5 Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups 1.6 Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 1.7 Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice. 1.9 Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice 1.10 Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise 1.13 Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively 1.14 Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice 1.17 Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients | LO4, LO5 |
Standard 2 - Knowledge and learning An occupational therapist’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice are informed by relevant and contemporary theory, practice knowledge and evidence, and are maintained and developed by ongoing professional development and learning. An occupational therapist: 2.1 Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 2.2 Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making. 2.3 Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making 2.4 Understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices 2.5 Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting 2.8 Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision- making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice 2.9 Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, 2.10 Maintains digital literacy for practice | LO1, LO2, LO5 |
Standard 3 - Occupational therapy process and practice An occupational therapist’s practice acknowledges the relationship between health, wellbeing and human occupation, and their practice is client-centred for individuals, groups, communities and populations. An occupational therapist: 3.1 Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement 3.2 Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client's status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals 3.3 Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals 3.4 Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals 3.5 Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 3.7 Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision making 3.11 Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5 |
Standard 4 – Communication Occupational therapists practise with open, responsive and appropriate communication to maximise the occupational performance and engagement of clients and relevant others. An occupational therapist: 4.1 Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively 4.2 Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context 4.4 Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 4.5 Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 4.10 Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5 |
Content
Topics will include:
Therapeutic communication in occupational therapy practice:
- Collaborative relationship focused occupational therapy
- Therapeutic communication skills
- Ethical issues and professional behaviours
- Theoretical frameworks for counselling and psychological intervention
- Working with people experiencing change, grief and loss.
Working with groups in occupational therapy practice
- Group theory
- Group dynamics
- Developmental stages of groups
- Group process, practice and design
- Leadership styles
- Group facilitation skills
- Managing participant behaviours
- Evaluation
Reflexivity:
- Therapeutic use of self
- Critical reflection on own knowledge and skills in individual and group interactions
- Giving and receiving feedback
Culturally safe communication
- Strengths based therapeutic communication approaches
- Culturally responsive and safe communication strategies
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning approaches for this unit will include online lectures, practical sessions, simulation and self-directed learning. Students are required to watch the online lectures and complete preparatory tasks in readiness for the practical classes. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner. Learning and teaching approaches included in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors and include tutorial co-facilitation by cultural mentors. This unit includes two hours of practice placement hours embedded within this unit. These fieldwork hours include conducting a simulated individual interview and facilitation of an occupational therapy group with peers.
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.
Assessment 1 involves students recording a counselling session for an occupational performance issue with a fellow student followed by a critique of their practices and behaviours using theoretical frameworks. This will provide an authentic learning experience in developing counselling skills.
Assessment 2 involves students preparing a group protocol utilising a theoretical framework and session plan, facilitating and evaluating this session and then critiquing their practices and behaviours. This will provide an authentic learning experience in developing group work skills and group outcome measurement.
Assessment 3 is a viva (an oral examination) to assess applied knowledge of counselling and group work practices and behaviours, including culturally safe communication. This assessment task is designed to develop students’ skills to apply counselling and group work knowledge, practices and culturally safe communication to relevant occupational therapy case scenarios. Assessment approaches in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors.
In order to pass the unit students must:
- Demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome
- Obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit and
- Achieve a mark of 50% or greater in Assessment 3 which is a graded hurdle.
Where students achieve a cumulative mark of 50% or more in the unit but do not achieve a mark of 50% or greater in Assessment 3 they will be offered one re-attempt of Assessment 3. If students pass the re-attempt assessment, they will pass the unit and their original mark will be the final unit mark. If students fail the re-attempt assessment, they will fail the unit.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Counselling video and critique Students record a counselling session for a occupational performance issue with a fellow student and critique their practices and behaviours using theoretical frameworks. | 30% | LO1, LO2, LO4 | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
Assessment 2: Group planning, facilitation and critique Students prepare a group protocol utilising a theoretical framework and session plan, facilitate and evaluate this session and then critique their practices and behaviours. | 30% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
Assessment 3: Oral Examination (Viva) Requires students to apply their knowledge of therapeutic communications skills, theoretical frameworks, practices and behaviours. | 40% Graded Hurdle | LO3, LO4, LO5 | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC5, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 1. Present group protocol in practical class for feedback | Hurdle | LO1, LO4 | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
HURDLE REQUIREMENT 2. Compulsory attendance and participation in simulated group learning activities. This hurdle provides students with exposure to a wide variety of simulated occupational therapy client groups and contexts, including a range of community and clinical settings. | Hurdle | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 | GC1, GC2, GC4, GC7, GC11, GC12 |
Representative texts and references
Cole, M. (2018). Group dynamics in occupational therapy: The theoretical basis and practice application of group intervention (5th ed.). Slack.
Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2018). Groups: Process and practice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Ivey, A., Ivey, M., & Zalaquett, C. (2018). Intentional interviewing and counselling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society. (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
O'Brien, J. C., & Solomon, J. W. (2022). Occupational analysis and group process (2nd ed.). Elsevier Mosby.
O’Toole, G. (2020). Communication: core interpersonal skills for healthcare professionals (4th edition.). Elsevier Australia.