Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The knowledge areas of the medical treatment domains of clinical dietetics as required by the Dietitians Association of Australia will be taught and practised under supervision in the hospital setting for acute and chronic conditions. The practical experience of nutritional assessment, including biochemical, anthropometric, severe or moderate weight loss, appetite and gastrointestinal function will be placed in the context of underlying medical conditions, and a nutrition care plan formulated, followed and evaluated for outcomes. The acute and ambulatory aspects of the nutritions care will be studied, and the aspects of team management (nursing allied health, medicine, social work) are placed in context with the development of communication skills. The student spends most time in the clinical experimental situation under clinical supervisor supervision. Real time case studies will be discussed in class, co-morbidities examined for prioritisation of nutrition interventions in a problem solving context, and the student incrementally takes more responsibility over the semester for patient care including charting in the medical histories, co-signed by the supervisor.

The domains covered in this unit will be the managment and dietetic treatment of gastrointestinal and pancreatic disease, liver disease, oncology, renal disease, pulmonary disease, neurosciences, nutrition support methodologies, acute surgery, trauma and acute paediatrics.

Objectives

At the completions of the unit the student should be able to:

1. describe the medical and nutritional principles in the dietetics management of the following conditions:

• gastrointestinal disease;

• cancer and the support of patients throughout the disease and its treatment;

• chronic and acute renal failure;

• pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis;

• allergy;

• surgery;

• intensive care nutrition;

• burns;

• trauma and

• infectious disease;

2. apply the knowledge of the medical and nutritional principles to the dietetic management of the listed conditions;

3. demonstrate proficiency in skills required by a practicing clinical dietitian in screening, assessment, planning, counselling, case management, discharge planning and follow up care in the acute clinical situation and the professional requirement for follow up care in the ambulatory, rehabilitative and extended care areas;

4. synthesise information and apply to the dietetic process;

5. research and communicate nutritional information appropriately to patients, peers and other members of the healthcare team;

6. apply skills of research and evidence based medicine to formulate and deliver care according to best practice guidelines within the institution and the profession;

7. reflect on learning to assist with critical thinking and problem solving skills; and

8. reflect on practice to assist with professional development and life long learning in the area of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Assessment

Examination: 40%
Major case study: 20%
Assignments : 20%
Professional competency by summative assessment of skills and competencies observed on clinical placement: 20%
Clinical portfolio (including reflective and experiential learning): ungraded pass. Students must pass the examination, and the clinical placement competencies in order to achieve a pass in this unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Ms Janeane Dart

Prerequisites

Completion of Years 1, 2 and 3 of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics

Co-requisites

BND4021