NUT5003 - Dietetic practice 1 - 2018

This unit uses a range of clinical conditions and diseases as the foundation and basis for dietetic students to further develop their core dietetic practice skills and develop skills in dietetic education and case management in the academic setting in preparation for placement. There is an emphasis and focus on person centred care and using simulation and case based learning to provide a key platform for learning in this unit. Preparing students for individual case management and clinical placement is a key focus of this unit. Broader issues regarding healthcare systems and healthcare provision, management, ethics in healthcare and quality improvement are covered in this unit. Students' professional competencies are further developed and this unit supports fulfilment of prescribed competencies as outlined by the Dietitians Association of Australia.

The key themes explored in this unit are; Theme 1: Personal Development and Professional Practice and Theme 3: Fundamentals of Health and Disease, coupled with partial integration of content and application from Theme 4: Food from Science to Systems.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate the role of diet in the aetiology, prevention, and management of a range of clinical conditions and diseases in preparation for clinical case management.
2. Integrate knowledge of science and disease into nutrition assessment and management of clinical cases including consideration of broader issues regarding healthcare systems and provision, management, ethics and quality improvement.
3. Demonstrate core skills in the clinical dietetic process to formulate effective case management plans including prioritising care and discharge planning.
4. Integrate personal, social, clinical, cultural, physiological, ethical, environmental and economic factors into clinical reasoning and decision making in case management.
5. Apply an evidence based approach to clinical case management.
6. Identify and critically review evidence in clinical dietetics communicating practice applications.
7. Incorporate theories of behaviour change and learning theory in counselling and education skills to support effective dietetic case management.
8. Communicate appropriately and broadly both written and orally.
9. Critically reflect on practice extending self-awareness, insight and cultural competency linking to professionalism.

• Exam (3 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
• Case based workbook (Individual) (6,000 words) (30%)
• Evidence based education resource (2 x double sided A4 equivalents) (10%)
• Self-developed placement handbook (10%)
• Professional behaviour appraisal form (Ungraded) (Hurdle)

This unit will run predominantly over Weeks 1-8 of semester with an average of 24 hours per week allocated including contact and private study hours.

See also Unit timetable information

Dietetics