Advanced Communication Skills for Health Professionals

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2026/05
Institute / School :Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Unit Title: Advanced Communication Skills for Health Professionals
Unit ID: NHPHS3015
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s):  
Co-requisite(s):  
Exclusion(s):  
ASCED: 061799
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This unit builds on students’ foundational knowledge and focuses on the advanced communication strategies and frameworks required for effective clinical practice. Students will examine how human behaviour influences health and explore behaviour change techniques, such as motivational interviewing, to support patient care. The unit delves into trauma-informed care and sensitive communication, ensuring students are equipped to engage with patients in a respectful, empathetic, and culturally appropriate manner. Students will also explore the role of health education, skill development, and social prescriptions in empowering patients and connecting them with community resources. Additionally, the unit focuses on professional conversations and feedback mechanisms to deliver comprehensive, patient-centred care. Furthermore, students will engage in interprofessional education, collaborating across healthcare disciplines to design and implement patient-centred care strategies. This approach emphasises the importance of teamwork and the integration of diverse expertise to enhance patient outcomes.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
Placement Component: No
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:
Skills:
Application of knowledge and skills:
Other outcomes:
Unit Content:

Human Behaviour and Health

Motivational Interviewing

Trauma Informed Care & Sensitive Communication

Professional & Feedback Conversations in Healthcare

Health Education, Skill Development & Social Prescription

Assessing & Addressing Patient Needs in Clinical Contexts

Self-Awareness, Self-Care & Managing Clinical Challenges

Interprofessional Education (IPE) & Collaborative Practice

Graduate Attributes:
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeightingProfessional Standards
Adopted Reference Style: 

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency