Master of Wound Care - 2019

The course is designed to enable you to advance your knowledge and skills in the provision of appropriate care of patients with wounds to optimise healing. You will gain the specialist skills necessary to enable the formulation, implementation and evaluation of management plans that are evidence based. You will also be able to hone your skills in leadership, professional communication, reflective practice and innovation in wound care to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes. You can choose between a coursework stream and a more research focused stream where you will undertake a practice-based research project.

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

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

1. integrate a high level of knowledge, critical analysis, problem solving, and evidence based decision making into the care of patients with wounds
2. critically review current wound dressings, technologies and wound bed preparation methods and apply their appropriate use in caring for a patient with a wound
3. develop and implement a multidisciplinary team approach to the care of patients with wounds
4. critically evaluate literature to develop and/or answer research questions
5. synthesise clinical and research information to communicate with a range of health care professionals and patients
6. reflect critically on professional practice related to wound care
7. analyse the consequences of wounds from an individual and population health perspective
8. demonstrate leadership, professional communication and innovation in wound care to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundation studies, Part B. Consolidation studies and Part C. Advanced studies.

Part A. Foundation studies

In these studies you will gain the theoretical foundation to effectively manage patients with acute, chronic and atypical wounds, utilising contemporary wound care practices to optimise healing.

Part B. Consolidation studies

In these studies you will be able to consolidate the theoretical foundation gained in Part A. You will gain further knowledge and skills to enable you to integrate evidence based interventions and high level problem-solving skills into the formulation and evaluation of management plans for patients with complex wounds. Furthermore, you will be able to develop your ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, improving your communication skills at patient, peer and workplace level.

Part C. Advanced studies

In these studies you will develop more specialised wound care related skills. You will choose a stream to suit your interests and career aspirations. You have two options:

• a coursework stream where you will investigate clinical risk management in relation to wound prevention, as well as consolidating advanced clinical practice skills in wound care. This stream will also allow you to explore units to suit your own interest, workplace needs or career aspirations.
• a coursework and research stream. Through this option you will follow a set study plan that will help you gain specialist professional knowledge, advanced skills in research as well as advanced professional practice in wound care.

The course comprises 72 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundation studies (24 points), Part B. Consolidation studies (24 points) and Part C. Advanced studies (24 points). You must complete all parts sequentially.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-p6003.pdf) will provide guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A. Foundation studies (24 credit points)

You must complete:

• PGW5201 Principles of wound healing
• PGW5202 Wound assessment
• PGW5203 Wound management principles
• PGW5204 Acute and chronic wounds

Part B. Consolidation studies (24 credit points)

You must complete:

a. The following units:

• PGC5101 Evidence based practice
• PGW5205 Integrated wound care practice

and one unit from the following:

• PGW5206 The diabetes foot
• PGW5207 Pressure injury management

b. 6 points from the list of elective units below

Part C. Advanced studies (24 credit points)

You must complete either a. or b. below.

a. Coursework

You must complete:

• PGW5208 Advanced clinical practice in wound care
• PGW5209 Clinical risk management and wound care
• 12 points from the list of elective units below

b. Coursework and research

You must complete:

• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics
• PGC5107 Introduction to clinical research
• PGC5108 Clinical research 2
• PGC5109 Clinical research 3

If you do not achieve a minimum mark of 65 per cent in MPH5020 you will be automatically moved into the coursework stream.

Elective units

• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics
• NUR5208 Therapeutic medication management (12 point)*
• PGC5107 Introduction to clinical research
• PGW5206 The diabetes foot
• PGW5207 Pressure injury management
• PGW5210Not offered in 2019 Burns and scar management
• PGW5211 Non-healing wounds and pain management
• up to 12 credit points of complementary units

* If you intend to enrol in this unit you must contact the course director.

Minimum marks for course completion

In order to successfully complete this course, you must achieve minimum marks as detailed below.

In Part A:

• 60 per cent in each unit

In Part. B:

• 70 per cent in PGW5205 Integrated wound care practice
• 65 per cent in PGC5101 Evidence based practice
• 60 per cent in all other units

If you do not achieve the minimum marks for course completion you will exit with one of the alternative exit awards outlined below.

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate of Wound Care after successful completion of Part A (24 points of study)
• Graduate Diploma of Wound Care after successful completion of Part A and Part B (48 points of study).

Successful completion of the coursework and research stream may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research.