6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Prerequisites
Must have passed PAR2031
Co-requisites
Must be enrolled in course code M20021
Prohibitions
BEH2201
Synopsis
This unit continues to develop the role of the paramedic as a clinician who is able to assess and care for patients with mental health problems in the community.
The unit addresses the epidemiology and history of mental health in Australia, and the features of care systems with particular emphasis on community based care.
Acute and chronic medical mental health problems commonly encountered by paramedics are investigated. The special needs of Indigenous persons and those from non-English speaking backgrounds are investigated.
The unit is case-based, integrating material from the five themes and the underpinning biomedical, social and clinical sciences, and including clinical skills, laboratory and simulation scenarios to develop essential communication, assessment and management clinical skills, and clinical problem solving and decision making competencies.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Describe the epidemiology, population health, pathology and clinical manifestations of mental illness commonly encountered in paramedic practice.
- Communicate effectively with people who are experiencing disturbances of thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
- Perform a mental status assessment as applied to paramedic practice.
- Comply with the Victorian Mental Health Act (2014) guidelines when carrying out a search and search procedure on patients with a mental health emergency
- Identify and apply therapeutic interventions and techniques appropriate to managing a mental health emergency in the community setting.
- Initiate appropriate care for patients with mental health issues, family members and carers in response to correctly identifying factors contributing to the situation.
Assessment
- Mental status assessment (20%)
- Pamphlet (20%)
- Mid-semester exam (1 hour) (20%)
- Exam (2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
- Attendance (Hurdle)
Workload requirements
6 hours per week involving lectures, online learning, tutorials and small group exercises.
See also Unit timetable information