12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL
Postgraduate - 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 Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This is the second core unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice. It is designed to meet the needs of Radiation Therapists seeking to extend their knowledge and skills in patient care, assessment and toxicity management. The unit will allow students to develop the skills to formulate strategies to assist in managing patient care and treatment compliance through communication and cultural competence. Students will critically evaluate the tools used to assess and monitor the condition of patients during their treatment course. Students will also analyse information management in relation to their current roles in supporting patients. The assessment and monitoring tools used in evaluating the effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment will be investigated and their application to radiation therapy practice appraised.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Appraise the issues associated with information literacy and provision of information to cancer patients prior to, during and after radiation therapy
- Evaluate and reflect on communication theory relating to patient care, assessment and compliance with treatment
- Analyse the concept of cultural competence reflecting on how this may impact on patient care and management
- Explain the concept of emotional intelligence and describe how this can be used in patient care strategies
- Analyse the impact of cancer diagnosis and the effects of radiation therapy on quality of life
- Evaluate the tools which are used for the assessment of patient health, performance status, well-being and satisfaction
- Distinguish between the range of toxicity assessment tools used in radiation therapy and apply this to your current practice.
Assessment
- Reflective analysis (3,000 words) (30%)
- Report (1,500 words) (20%)
- Evidence-based critical case analysis (2,500 words) (20%)
- Comparative analysis (3,000 words) (30%)
Workload requirements
Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 12 hours of self-directed study for 12 weeks.
See also Unit timetable information
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Medical radiations and radiation therapy