COMMUNICATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2024/05
Institute / School :Federation TAFE
Unit Title: COMMUNICATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Unit ID: GPHSC1201
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): Nil
ASCED: 069999
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This introductory unit will enable students to gain a better understanding of the role of effective communication across health professions. It will identify enablers and barriers to effective communication, how these may affect our interaction with others. It will also introduce students to a range of communication techniques and strategies essential for the development and maintenance of workplace relationships and teamwork. These will enable effective interpersonal and therapeutic communication, including clear expression of ideas and views; concise and confident oral and written communication skills; and tailoring communication styles for specific audiences. The unit will be offered to health professions to promote inter-professional learning as required by the Health Professional’s Accreditation Standards and National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. This unit will incorporate additional learning hours to support the development of students’ academic and study skills

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component:
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                        
Intermediate                                                
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Identify effective communication strategies and techniques, including technology that can be used in and across health professions;

K2.

Discuss the enablers and barriers to effective communication and how it impacts our interaction with others;

K3.

Identify key aspects of effective public, interpersonal and therapeutic communication in various professional contexts;

K4.

Explain group processes and group dynamics essential for workplace teamwork interactions; and

K5.

Explore cultural safety, intercultural and inclusive communication strategies in and across health professions.

Skills:
S1.

Establish self-awareness about personal communication strengths and weaknesses;

S2.

Develop empathetic questioning and active listening skills to break down barriers to effective communication;

S3.

Demonstrate effective academic skills, oral and written communication skills appropriate for health professionals.

S4.

Exhibit digital literacy and e-documentation skills including health informatics

S5.

Develop and assess graduate attributes and Professional Standards of Practice allocated to this unit.

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Employ active listening techniques and effective questioning skills to enhance understanding and show empathy in interpersonal and therapeutic interactions;

A2.

Apply communication skills and adopt behaviours that enhance working relationships;

A3.

Utilise proven communication techniques and conflict resolution skills to deal with difficult situations in professional and health contexts.

Unit Content:

Communication

  • Communication strategies and techniques Enablers and barriers to effective communication Language in context
  • Communication technology etiquette, social media, health informatics, e-documentation Intercultural communication and cultural safety
  • Inclusive communication
  • NSQHS Standards especially Standard 6 on Communication
  • Develop and assess graduate capabilities and Professional Standards of Practice allocated to this unit

Interpersonal communication

  • Self-awareness and impact of our interactions with others
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Active listening and questioning skills
  • Therapeutic and helping skills Empathy versus sympathy
  • Ethical decision making in communication
  • Active, passive and aggressive communication and its impacts Interviewing skills

Working with others and inter-professional skills

  • Group processes and dynamics
  • Effective group membership and leadership Teamwork
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Negotiation and Persuasion
  • Networking and advocacy
  • Maintaining professional health care relationships
  • e-documentation, referral, and health informatics
  • Inter and intra-professional communication strategies including ISBAR (Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation)

Academic skills

  • Public speaking
  • Presentation skills
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Critical and reflective thinking
  • Professional writing for a specific audience
  • Digital literacy
Graduate Attributes:
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2, A3

Attendance at Active Learning Sessions

80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions

S/U Hurdle

2.K1, K3, K5, S2, S3, S5, A1, A2, A3

Recorded interview with simulated patient

Video

30-40%

3.K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3

Communication infographic

Group, e-poster

30-40%

4.K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3

Reflection on personal communication strategy and group dynamic

Individual, written

20-30%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency