Master of Wound Care

This course allows students to expand on and consolidate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in wound care and management. Candidates undertake compulsory units in epidemiology/biostatistics and evidence-based practice and develop research skills by undertaking a clinical project.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a high level of critical analysis, problem solving, decision making and professional communication related to the care of clients with complex wounds
• utilise an evidential basis for clinical decision-making in the management of people with wounds
• demonstrate an understanding of the consequences of acute and chronic wounds from an individual and population health perspective
• demonstrate leadership, professional communication and innovation in wound care underpinned by continuous quality improvement framework.

36 credit points

The core unit PGW5127 (Practical wound care training and assessment) requires students to attend a five-day on-campus/residential course at the Parkville campus. They will undertake supervised clinic observation and seminar workshops (theoretical and practical) in various aspects of wound related topics during this time.

This course consists of core units (60 points) and elective units (12 points).

Core units

Students must complete:

• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics
• PGC5001 Evidence based practice
• PGC5007 Introduction to clinical research
• PGC5008 Clinical research 2
• PGC5009 Clinical research 3
• PGW5101 Biology of wound healing
• PGW5102 Wound assessment
• PGW5103 Wound dressings
• PGW5104 Management of acute wounds
• PGW5105 Management of chronic wounds
• PGW5106 Systemic medication and wound healing
• PGW5108 Nutrition and wound healing
• PGW5122 Advanced clinical practice in wound care
• PGW5127 Practical wound care training and assessment

Elective units

Students must complete 12 points from:

• PGP5014 Clinical educator preparation
• PGW5109 Dermatology
• PGW5111 Alternative therapies
• PGW5112 Scar management
• PGW5113 Non-healing ulcers and pain management
• PGW5116 Diabetic foot
• PGW5123 Management of burns
• PGW5126 Clinical risk management and wound care
• PGW5130 Pressure injury prediction, prevention and management

Research component

Students must have achieved a minimum grade of 65 per cent in MPH5020 (Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics) and PGC5001 (Evidence based practice) to enrol in PGC5007 (Introduction to clinical research).

Students are required to develop a research proposal for a wound-related project, write a project proposal, and write and submit an ethics proposal and gain ethics approval from their practice site and/or from Monash University.

Students will present work-in-progress to a panel, conduct a literature review, present a final verbal report of the research undertaken and submit a written report of their research project.

Minimum grade for course completion

In order to successfully complete this course, students must achieve a minimum pass grade as follows:

(a.) credit (60) in:

• PGW5101 Biology of wound healing
• PGW5102 Wound assessment
• PGW5103 Wound dressings
• PGW5104 Management of acute wounds
• PGW5105 Management of chronic wounds
• PGW5106 Systemic medication and wound healing
• PGW5108 Nutrition and wound healing
• elective unit(s) equivalent to 12 credit points.

(b.) credit (65) in:

• PGC5001 Evidence based practice
• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics

(c.) distinction (70) in PGW5127 Practical wound care training and assessment.

Students wishing to exit this course early or who do not achieve the minimum pass grade for course completion exit with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• 2982 Graduate Certificate in Wound Care after successful completion of 24 points of study
• 2984 Graduate Diploma in Wound Care after successful completion of 48 points of study.