Course Outline

PAR302 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Substance Misuse and Toxicology

Course Coordinator:Chantal Perera (cperera@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Paramedicine

2023Session 5

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Paramedic practice requires an understanding of the effect that substance misuse has on individuals and the community. You will investigate the social, ethical and legal aspects to drug use and abuse at an individual, family and community level. Harm minimisation strategies including detoxification will be studied, and students will develop an understanding of their role in caring for individuals with alteration in health due to drug toxicity or drug withdrawal. You will also investigate the assessment and care of poisoned patients, including cases of envenomation.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Online – 3 modules, 5 hours per week directed learning through Canvas 5hrs Week 1 8 times

Course Topics

A whole person approach to assessment, diagnosis and management of:

  • drugs in society,
  • drug toxicity
  • poisoning, and
  • envenomation.

Political, cultural, social, legal and ethical dimensions of drug abuse and the effectiveness of harm minimisation strategies. 

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation processes and the risks associated with rapid detoxification. 

Pathophysiology of addiction, dependence and tolerance.

The influence of health provider beliefs on the assessment and care of individuals with a history of drug abuse.

Drug use and abuse within the healthcare industry. 

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Paramedicine Board of Australia
1 Investigate drug abuse and harm minimisation in the community and health professions Knowledgeable
Ethical
1, 1.1.g, 1.1.j, 1.1.k, 1.4.a, 1.4, 3, 5.3.f, 5.4.e, 5.6.b, 5.3
2 Explore and present public health interventions to facilitate health behaviour change Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
1, 1.1.g, 1.1.j, 1.1.k, 1.4.a, 2, 2.2.b, 3, 5.3.f, 5.6.b, 5.3
3 Appraise evidence to assess and manage the physiological and social effects of drug abuse and envenomation Knowledgeable
1, 3, 4.6.a, 5.3.f, 5.4.e, 5.6.b, 5.3

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Paramedicine Board of Australia
1 Domain 1: The professional and ethical practitioner
1.1.g Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles underpinning bio- ethics in paramedicine practice.
1.1.j Operate within the current legislation applicable to paramedicine practice.
1.1.k Practise in accordance with the applicable legislation governing the safe use of scheduled medicines by paramedics in the jurisdiction of practice.
1.4.a Demonstrate understanding of the principles of patient advocacy and their application to paramedicine practice.
1.4 Advocate on behalf of the patient, when appropriate in the context of the practitioner’s practice as a paramedic
2 Domain 2: The communicator and the collaborator
2.2.b Demonstrate an understanding of professional roles and responsibilities of healthcare team members and other service providers and how they interact with the role of a paramedic.
3 Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner
4.6.a Demonstrate the principles, application and need for quality control and quality assurance in paramedicine practice.
5.3.f Understand the clinical sciences underpinning paramedic practice, including physiological, pharmacological, behavioural and functional.
5.4.e Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the indications and contra-indications of using specific paramedic interventions including their modifications.
5.6.b Demonstrate sensitivity to the factors which shape lifestyle that may impact on the individual’s health and affect the interaction between the patient and registered paramedic.
5.3 Understand the key concepts of the bodies of knowledge which are specifically relevant to paramedicine practice

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

BIM263 and HLT221 and enrolled in Program SC395 or SC306

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 2 students will be able to undertake an online formative quiz which will provide feedback.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 0%
20 items
Week 2 Online Submission
All 2a Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 20%
40 items
Week 4 Online Submission
All 2b Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 30%
80 items
Week 8 Online Submission
All 3 Report Individual 50%
2500 word document
Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Quiz
Goal:
This task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication. The format is multiple choice questions. This is an open-book test that is completed online via Canvas.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format:
Multiple choice test
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Quiz - this task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication
1 3
All - Assessment Task 2a:Exam 1
Goal:
This task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication. The format is multiple choice questions. This is an open-book test that is completed online via Canvas.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format:
Multiple choice exam (mid-session)
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Quiz - this task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication.
1 3
All - Assessment Task 2b:Exam 2
Goal:
This task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication. The format is multiple choice questions. This is an open-book test that is completed online via Canvas.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format:
Multiple choice test (end of session)
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Quiz - this task assesses your understanding of the key knowledge areas of this course including social effects of drug addiction, drug addiction knowledge, drug and alcohol recovery, and risks associated with rapid detoxication.
1 3
All - Assessment Task 3:Report
Goal:
The aim of the report is to investigate a specific topic relating to drug abuse in the community
or the management of overdose, poisoning or envenomation. The report is designed to be
presented at a paramedic conference and should aim to inform the audience of contemporary
evidence-based practice in the selected area of investigation.
Product: Report
Format:
Electronic format in Word or PDF format submitted via Turnitin.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Report - the aim of the report is to investigate a specific topic relating to drug abuse in the community or the management of overdose, poisoning or envenomation.
1 2 3

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Kate Curtis,Clair Ramsden,Margaret Fry,Ramon Z. Shaban,Julie Considine 2019 Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics 3rd Elsevier

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au