RTS5101 - Radiation therapy science 4 - 2018

This unit is designed to provide students with knowledge of the Australian health care system, medico-legal, ethical issues, and psychology as related to the practice of radiation therapy. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of health care regulation. Medico-legal and ethical principles relating to the practice of radiation therapy will be studied. Students will gain in-depth knowledge on the psychological theories relating to responses to a cancer diagnosis, coping, the effects of treatment, grief and death and dying. Students will be able to analyse and describe the cause, nature, presentation and course of psychological responses in people with cancer. Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesise relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build their skills of critical analysis.

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

1. Appraise medico-legal principles and reflect on their application to clinical practice, describing the Australian health care system and its regulation;
2. Evaluate the laws relating to assault and negligence and relate these to radiation therapy practice;
3. Analyse and reflect on ethical theories, including principles-based ethics, and how they relate to the practice of radiation therapy;
4. Critically appraise the legal and ethical issues related to dealing with patients with special needs;
5. Analyse the cause and nature of psychological/psychiatric responses in cancer patients;
6. Examine coping mechanisms and adjustment disorders in radiation oncology patients in a culturally competent manner.

• Examination (2 hours) (50%)
• Two written word assignments (2,000 words each) (50%)

Hurdle:

All elements of assessment must be passed to pass the unit.

Radiation therapy