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Unit outline_

CRIT5008: Evidence and Ethics in Critical Care

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This capstone unit for the Master of Medicine (Critical Care) and Master of Science in Medicine (Critical Care) degree aims to develop students' ethical, reflective, critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills, required to inform best clinical practice. The unit is structured in two parts: an introduction to key ethical concepts and methods of ethical analysis; and an overview of evidence relevant to health care practice and research. Students initially apply ethical principles to examine a series of case studies. Students then critically appraise the evidence base for a clinical case study related to their area of practice. This will involve development of a clinical question, a literature search and review of selected studies, and application of critical appraisal skills to appraise a primary and secondary study in detail. Learning modules include further development of literature search and critical appraisal skills, applying decision analysis to facilitate shared decision-making in practice, and application of evidence to inform individual patient care.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Critical Care
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
CEPI5100 and 18 credit points of stream-specific units from (a minimum of 12 credit points from (CRIT5001 or CRIT5002 or CRIT5003 or CRIT5004 or CRIT5005 or CRIT5006 or CRIT5007 or CRIT5009 or CRIT5010 or CRIT5011 or CRIT5012 or CRIT5014 or CRIT5015 or CRIT5016 or CRIT5017 or CRIT5018 or CRIT5019 or CRIT5020) and up to 6 credit points from (CLNP5005 or INTM5014 or PAED5007))
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Megan Cox, megan.cox@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Gerard Moynihan, gerard.moynihan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Ethics online tasks
Written task
20% Multiple weeks 300-500 words per task
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Online task Evidence online tasks
Written task
10% Multiple weeks 500-600 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6 LO5
Assignment Ethics essay
Essay
20% Week 09
Due date: 29 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Evidence - Critical Appraisal
Critical Appraisal
30% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO8
Assignment Audiovisual Presentation
Recorded presentation uploaded to Canvas
20% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO8

Assessment summary

  • Ethics online tasks: Students are to write responses to 3 individual Ethics tasks related to module content
  • Ethics essay: Students select a case and then write an essay on the relevant ethical considerations 
  • Evidence online tasks: Students are to complete sequential and related tasks on their evidence-based medicine project.
  • Evidence: critical appraisal: Students will incorporate work from previous online tasks to appraise the evidence on a selected clinical scenario.
  • Audiovisual presentation: Students will record a presentation emulating a clinical scenario, specifically discussing evidence gathered from previous assessments with a hypothetical patient/next of kin/relative or colleague.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: What is Evidence and why should Ethics matter? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: What is Evidence and why should Ethics matter? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 1: What is Evidence and why should Ethics matter? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 2: What methods and tools do we use in Evidence and Ethics? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 2: What methods and tools do we use in Evidence and Ethics? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 2: What methods and tools do we use in Evidence and Ethics? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 3: How does Evidence and Ethics guide us in decision making and leadership? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 3: How does Evidence and Ethics guide us in decision making and leadership? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 3: How does Evidence and Ethics guide us in decision making and leadership? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 4: How does Evidence and Ethics lead us to be better clinicians? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 4: How does Evidence and Ethics lead us to be better clinicians? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 4: How does Evidence and Ethics lead us to be better clinicians? Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 4: How does Evidence and Ethics lead us to be better clinicians? Online class (10 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain and compare the features of predominant ethical theories relevant to evidence based health care practice and research
  • LO2. Describe and critically evaluate ethical principles and concepts such as autonomy, capacity, vulnerability, best interests and consent and their role in health care practice and research
  • LO3. Apply these ethical concepts to relevant contemporary issues or challenges in health care practice and research
  • LO4. Formulate a clinical question so that it fits into one of the four main areas (diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, harm) and can be answered by finding and using the best evidence
  • LO5. Select sources of EBM material appropriate for a given question
  • LO6. Retrieve appropriate evidence through optimal querying of selected sources
  • LO7. Critically appraise retrieved evidence for validity, importance and applicability including how the limitations of retrieved evidence modifies its applicability to patient care
  • LO8. Apply the factors involved in clinical decision making as they relate to an individual patient.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the Unit of Study Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.