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Unit of study_

OCCP5207: Assessing Evidence for OT Practice

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

Knowing how to locate, understand and use evidence in occupational therapy (OT) practice is an essential skill for all OTs. It is also essential for OTs to take their place as responsible members of local, national, international and professional communities of practice. In this unit of study, students will learn how to search for, appraise and summarise research evidence relevant to occupational therapy practice. Students will have the opportunity to explore diverse areas of OT practice by critically examining the research and considering the application of that research in practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OCCP5207
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
OCCP5237
Assumed knowledge
? 

Research Methods

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Anne Cusick, anne.cusick@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final Exam
Written examination
35% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Clinical Scenario Case Study Part 2 - 'journal club' presentation and KT resource
Journal club style presentation with knowledge translation pro forma
30% Multiple weeks
Due date: 01 May 2020 at 08:00

Closing date: 29 May 2020
12 minutes + KT
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment CPD-style learning contract
Pro forma learning contract for individualised CPD related to EBP
0% Week 04
Due date: 19 Mar 2020 at 12:00

Closing date: 19 Mar 2020
300 words pro forma
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO8 LO9
Assignment Clinical scenario case study Part 1
Applications of EBP approach to specified clinical case in proforma report
35% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2020 at 12:00

Closing date: 24 Mar 2020
2000 words pro forma
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO9
Participation Tutorial participation
Participation in minimum 10 tutorials by mode indicated in weekly schedule
0% Weekly
Due date: 28 Feb 2020 at 16:39

Closing date: 29 May 2020
2 hours per week in tutorial
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Attendance: Provide evidence of virtual attendance at every asynchronous online class. Attend a minimum of 10 tutorials.

  • CPD-style learning contract: Students are to complete a CPD-style learning contract which includes selecting learning goals, strategies, and providing evidence of learning attainment on the topic of library information resource use and search skill development.

  • Final Exam: Invigilated exam using short answer questions.

  • Clinical scenario case study 1: Students are to complete clinical scenario case using portfolio template provided.

  • Clinical scenario case study 2: One individual student tutorial presentation and knowledge translation resource related to the tutorial presentation using prescribed format.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to evidence based practice (EBP) in ocupational therapy Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO9
Orientation to unit process and requirements; getting to know your 'journal club'; making decisions as an occupational therapist. In 2020 ONLY this Week 1 tutorial will be online to provide flexibility for all students. You do not need to come onto campus this week for OCCP5207. See Canvas Unit site for details about software you need to participate, preparing links, how attendance is registered & pre-reading. These tutorials will be at Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) per your timetable. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO9
Week 02 Interprofessional health classifications used in occupational therapy EBP - the WHO ICD 11 and the WHO ICF - how classifications can help name and frame evidence for practice decisions. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Utility of classifications in occupational therapy EBP; and the hegemony of classifications and measures. In 2020 ONLY this Week 2 tutorial will be online to provide flexibility for all students. You do not need to come onto campus this week for OCCP5207. See Canvas Unit site for details. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Week 03 The EBP process and building your own EBP toolbox of skills and resources - skill building for continuous professional development evidence Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8
Asking EBP questions - how to identify practice issues and skill building to develop answerable questions (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2
Week 04 Where to access relevant, high quality evidence to answer your practice question and where you can store and use what you find. Online class (1 hr) LO3 LO4
How to access relevant evidence to answer your practice question, skill building in structured searches and how to manage what you find. (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 05 Heirachies of evidence and how to use them wisely in evidence based practice reasoning. Introduction to critical appraisal. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7
Research designs and how they relate to quality and type of evidence for practice decision-making - skill building to identify population, design, method and measure/meaning components of research articles. Introduction to critical appraisal tools. (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Qualitative and quantitative data as evidence - how measurement and meaning can answer practice questions. Introduction to critical appraisal Online class (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Measurement in occupational therapy evidence - skill building in test selection, administration and scoring accuracy and consideration of implications for quality and relevance of evidence (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO7
Week 07 Evidence about effect of treatments/interventions - pre/post or group comparison cohort studies, RCTs, SCEDs - relative strength of this evidence Online class (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Effects of treatments/interventions - online skill building for critical appraisal of SCED evidence. This week is a Public Holiday on Friday. Class content and skill building for Week 7 will be online. See Canvas Unit site for details and participation requirements Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Observational cohort studies - evidence about people Online class (1 hr) LO6 LO7
Effects of treatments/interventions - skill building for critical appraisal of RCT evidence (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Qualitative research approaches that create evidence of human experience and meanings Online class (1 hr) LO6 LO7
Evidence about people in cohort studies - skill building for critical appraisal. Student 'journal club' presentations (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 10 When literature reviews become research evidence - integrative, scoping, systematic and meta-analytic reviews Introduction to critical appraisal of integrative and scoping reviews Online class (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Evidence about people in qualitative studies - skill building for critical appraisal. Student 'journal club' presentations (This class is on campus and attendance taken). Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Implementation of evidence and translation of research knowledge into practice Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Evidence from systematic reviews - skill building for critical appraisal. Student 'journal club' presentations. (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Using an EBP approach in goal directed, person-centered, collaborative and shared decision-making approaches in occupational therapy Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO8 LO9
Clinical practice guidelines - skill building in finding them, introduction to appraising them. Student 'journal club' presentations (This class is on campus and attendance taken) Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 13 Topic review - student directed interactive zoom sessions available - see Canvas for reservations Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Student-directed question-answer review sessions (online). Student journal club presentations - overflow option to be confirmed. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: To meet minimum requirements students must complete all components of the course, this includes attendance requirements for units. Attendance at all classes and participation in online learning is compulsory.

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. Define and explain the process of evidence-based (occupational therapy) practice
  • LO2. Formulate clear clinical questions based on problems commonly encountered in occupational therapy practice
  • LO3. Search the literature for relevant evidence using electronic search strategies, keywords, relevant databases, journals, web, and print-based materials
  • LO4. Use bibliographic referencing software to manage information collected so that evidence is accessible, manageable, and useful to support current and future practice decisions
  • LO5. Describe the importance of acknowledging and referencing sources of information in written documents, and use relevant referencing conventions
  • LO6. (critically) appraise evidence for its validity and usefulness, by selecting and using appraisal tools relevant to the type of study designs being appraised
  • LO7. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of different types of evidence (qualitative and quantitative) including systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, descriptive studies, expert opinion, and unpublished information
  • LO8. Describe the process of applying evidence in practice (implementation)
  • LO9. Reflect on the value and relevance of EBP knowledge and skills, as a foundation for professional OT practice.

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
Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.13 A Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively
1.16 A Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students, and
2.1 A Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.10 A Maintains digital literacy for practice.
2.3 A Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
2.6 A Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development
2.7 A Implements a specific learning and development plan when moving to a new area of practice or returning to practice
2.8 A Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice
2.9 A Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3.2 A Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals
3.7 A Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
3.8 A Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
4.1 A Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.10 A Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
4.11 A Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.
4.2 A Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
4.4 A Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies
4.9 A Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

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

Students liked the clinical case and having to apply EBP skills to clinical decisions for the case. Students liked the online lecture-modules and the skill-focussed tutorials so I am keeping them. Students suggested fixed assessment dates which I have done in 2020. Students rated learning activities, assessments and resources highly.

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