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Course Outline

PSY103 Applied Psychology in Health Care

Course Coordinator:James Clark (jclark5@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

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

This course provides students who are working in applied health care with knowledge and understanding of the core psychological issues that will be important when managing clients in health care settings, particularly in paramedic science and psychology settings. There is a focus on gaining an awareness of psychological processes that relate to self and others and also how to communicate effectively in an interdisciplinary setting.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – 1-hour online material to review on Canvas in student's own time 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-campus Workshop - 2 hours 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to PSY103
  • Psychology and paramedicine 
  • Vicarious trauma         
  • Health, stress, and coping      
  • Fitness to practice       
  • Development across the lifespan        
  • Neuropsychology        
  • Death, grief, and loss  
  • Health literacy and health communication       
  • Accident analysis, safety, and situational awareness   
  • Childhood trauma and domestic violence        
  • Assessing risk of violence

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first 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 Understand, evaluate, and apply concepts, theories, and research relating to psychology in health care contexts. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker 
3.2.b, 5.2.b, 5.3.e, 5.3.f
2 Understand psychological processes relating to self and others. Knowledgeable
Empowered 
2.1.f, 3.2.b, 5.2.b, 5.3.e, 5.3.f
3 Communicate knowledge effectively within relevant discipline (paramedic science and psychology) and professional practice. Empowered 
2.1.f, 3.2.b

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Paramedicine Board of Australia
2.1.f Identify and effectively manage communication barriers, including anxiety and stress, specific to individual patients and/or carers.
3.2.b Demonstrate a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving and situation analysis.
5.2.b Identify patients who are vulnerable or otherwise most at risk including those with mental health issues particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
5.3.e Understand psychological and social factors, including intergenerational trauma that impact and influence an individual in health and illness.
5.3.f Understand the clinical sciences underpinning paramedic practice, including physiological, pharmacological, behavioural and functional.

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

Enrolled in Program SC306, SC395, AR374, AR403 or AR405

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

Timely and detailed feedback is provided for each assessment. Feedback is provided both within text and general comments to build scholarly skills. Students are able to seek feedback through face-to-face discussions with the course coordinator. Workshops will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements and scope.

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 50% 
30-minutes
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Written Piece Individual 50% 
1500 words
 Week 13 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Online Quizzes
Goal: 
The purpose of this task is for you to identify and describe foundational concepts and theories underpinning applied psychology in health care. These quizzes will assist in providing feedback on your learning throughout the course.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format: 
This task requires you to complete a series of online quizzes in Canvas (3 quizzes). Each quiz will focus on the content covered in the related weeks of the course. 

For example, 
Quiz 1 - Topics 1 - 4
Quiz 2 - Topics 5 - 8
Quiz 3 - Topic 9 - 12

Quizzes will be activated for a period of seven days only, starting from 12 pm Friday and closing at 12 pm the following Friday.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Accuracy and correctness of responses.
 1 2
2 
Assessment criteria are mapped to the course learning outcomes.
 1 2 3
All - Assessment Task 2:Essay
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to answer an essay question related to the concepts from the learning materials, readings, videos, and course resources. This assessment will allow you to develop your skills in the selection of material, comprehension, application of theory, referencing, and presentation.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
This assessment task will require you to complete an essay related to the weekly topics, learning materials, workshops, and required readings. The essay question will be available on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Critically think and reflect on the topics and materials covered in the course
 1 2 3
2 
Ability to respond to all questions and components in a critical manner and provide appropriate examples
 1 3
3 
Comprehension and application of theory
 1 2 3
4 
Referencing and presentation adheres to APA 7th guidelines
 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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

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 on the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range of 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
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