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.

Content

Goal setting and Evaluation

• Occupationally focussed goal setting and documentation
• Selecting and using assessments aligned with goals
• Dynamic Performance analysis
• Measuring goal attainment

Professional and Interprofessional Practice

• Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Rehabilitation in acute, rehabilitation and community settings
• Consumer perspectives and lived experience
• Respectfully acquiring cultural information
• Professional reasoning and communication (written, verbal and nonverbal)
• Collaboration in interprofessional contexts
• Positive behaviour support

Participation level interventions

• Promoting participation and engagement in occupational roles
• Evidence-based and occupation-focused interventions
• Driving and driving assessment
• Environmental adaptation and assistive technology

Activity level interventions

• Retraining Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Upper limb and hand function interventions (e.g. Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), Task-specific training)
• Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP)
• Seating and positioning
• Somatosensory retraining
• Robotics
• Manual handling and transfers 

Body Structures and Function level interventions

• Cognitive and perceptual interventions
• Management of spasticity
• Addressing emotional impacts and fatigue
• Functional electrical stimulation
• Mirror therapy
• Mental practice

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Modes of delivery for this unit include lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, client case studies and self-directed learning. Consistent with adult learning principles, the teaching and learning strategies support students in constructing knowledge to apply in real-life occupational therapy practice. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and participate actively within group activities, respecting individuals as independent learners.

Lectures provide a framework for unit content and situate it within an occupational therapy context. Practicals and tutorials provide opportunities for experiential learning in evidence-based interventions for clients with neurological conditions, setting occupationally-focused goals and evaluating client and service outcomes. Experiential learning is essential for developing skills in administering and describing evidence-based interventions, enabling students to practice cognitive, sensory, motor and communication skills required for competent occupational therapy practice. Learning and Teaching approaches in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ Cultural Advisors.

Students will undertake 14 hours of Work Integrated Learning comprising Professional Practice Placement and the Interprofessional Ward Simulation. These experiences provides exposure to individuals with neurological conditions, and the opportunity to develop evidence-based treatment plans. It prepares students for the subsequent five-week Professional Practice Placement in OTHY303, where students take more responsibility for delivering occupational therapy services under supervision.

Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2018

In connection to the learning outcomes, Australian occupational therapy competency standards (AOTCS) 2018 developed within this unit are:

• AOTCS Standard 1

  Relating to

  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:

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 1.3

  Relating to

  Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 1.5

  Relating to

  Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 1.7

  Relating to

  Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 1.8

  Relating to

  Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 1.9

  Relating to

  Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2

  Relating to

  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:

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.1

  Relating to

  Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.2

  Relating to

  Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.3

  Relating to

  Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3

  Relating to

  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:

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.1

  Relating to

  Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.2

  Relating to

  Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.3

  Relating to

  Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.5

  Relating to

  Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.6

  Relating to

  Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.7

  Relating to

  Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.8

  Relating to

  Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3.13

  Relating to

  Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4

  Relating to

  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:

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.1

  Relating to

  Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.2

  Relating to

  Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.4

  Relating to

  Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.5

  Relating to

  Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.6

  Relating to

  Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.7

  Relating to

  Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.8

  Relating to

  Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.9

  Relating to

  Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 4.11

  Relating to

  Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4