Outline

Overview

Students will develop knowledge and skills required to provide occupational therapy for people whose occupational performance is compromised by psychosocial and cognitive impairments. A variety of theoretical perspectives used to guide practice will be covered. Students will learn how to evaluate performance, design occupation-embedded therapy programs, clearly articulate the theoretical and evidence-based rationale for their programs, and select methods to evaluate outcomes from therapy

Details

Academic unit
Unit code	OCCP5222
Unit name	Psychosocial and Cognitive Strategies
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2020
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Cumberland, Sydney
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	OCCP5217
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Justin Scanlan, justin.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Judy Ranka , judy.ranka@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Justin Newton Scanlan, justin.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
Administrative staff	Queries should be directed to Sydney School of Health Sciences Learning and Teaching Administrative Unit at shs.ltadmin@sydney.edu.au.

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam	Psychosocial and cognitive strategies exam 2 x take home exams (20% each) and 1000 words each	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 12 Jun 2020 at 23:00	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation and group skills demonstration Participation	0%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study (cognitive strategies) Written assignment	30%	Week 07 Due date: 08 Apr 2020 at 11:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Weekly reading responses Short answer	30%	Weekly	Approximately 250 words each.
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Weekly reading responses: You will engage with weekly readings/other materials and complete short “reading responses”or other activities related to the preparation material. You must complete all the assessment tasks to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete any assessment item will result in you being awarded a fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
Class participation and group skills demonstration: You will be assessed on your contribution to class discussions and your contribution to the learning of your peers. Throughout the semester, some students will be randomly selected to participate in in-class activities.
Case study (cognitive strategies): This paper will require that you prepare a written submission for an occupational therapy program that will address the cognitive impairments demonstrated by a client group using material presented in class and your own investigations.
Psychosocial and cognitive strategies exams: Two take home exams worth 20% each and 1000 words each will be due in week 15. They will include occupational therapy processes and professional reasoning. Examination questions will relate to case scenarios that will be given out in week 13. Students will be required to prepare themselves for the tasks set in the examination by researching the case thoroughly and gathering relevant information.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While no individual assessment piece is “must pass”, students must achieve at least 50% for each of the modules (e.g., a cumulative total of at least 25/50 for the weekly reading response and psychosocial component of the exam AND a cumulative total of at least 25/50 for the cognitive case study and cognitive component of the exam).

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	Outstanding level of achievement: Moves well beyond what would normally be expected for the student’s level of learning. The work is structured appropriately, deeply analytical and well supported.
Distinction	75 - 84	Excellent level of achievement: Clearly structured and presented. Ideas/arguments are well articulated and systematically presented. All tasks set by the assessment item are completed. Work is comprehensive, analytical and presents evidence of critical thinking.
Credit	65 - 74	Above average level of achievement: Incorporates many of the aspects listed above but without the same degree of analysis or critical thinking. Demonstrates a sound understanding of the content.
Pass	50 - 64	Acceptable level of achievement: Work submitted meets the basic requirements of the set task. Demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic/issue/concern but is less precise and less discriminating than higher level responses.
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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Weekly reading responses must be submitted in HARD COPY before the commencement of the Psychosocial Strategies class each week. Late submissions will be awarded a mark of 0. For all other assessment, standard penalties apply.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, 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 dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: 1. The neuroanatomy of disorder; 2. Cognition and occupational therapy; 3. Models of cognition. 4. Assessment approaches.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Unit introduction; 2. Exploration of own beliefs and understanding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Assessing cognitive strategy application	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Therapeutic use of self; 2. Boundaries and boundary violations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: 1. Evidence of treatment effectiveness; 2. Therapy as systematic instruction.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Recovery; 2. Recovery orientation of services; 3. Positive risk taking	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: 1. Disorders of consciousness; 2. Levels of cognitive functioning.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Medical knowledge: Diagnosis, mental state examination; risk assessment and management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of attention	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of sensory perception (Part 1)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of sensory perception (Part 2)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Goal setting; 2. Supporting individuals to make change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of memory	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Occupational therapy assessment; 2. Functional implications of mental illness	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of behavioural control	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: 1. Distress tolerance; 2. Managing anxiety	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of planning and organisation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Interventions 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Disorders of self-awareness and insight	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Interventions 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Synthesis: Case analysis and examination preparation (Part 1)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Groupwork skills labs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Groupwork skills labs	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Groupwork skills labs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	COGNITIVE STRATEGIES: Synthesis: case analysis and examination preparation (Part 2)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	PSYCHOSOCIAL STRATEGIES: Revision and exam preparation	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: There is an 85% attendance requirement for this unit of study. Students who do not meet this attendance requirement may be awarded a fail grade for the unit of study. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and activities.

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

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. demonstrate an understanding of the lived experience and impact on occupational engagement due to illness or disability with particular emphasis on people with mental illness and on others (e.g. carers) with psychosocial needs
LO2. understand the concept of recovery of people with mental illness and recovery as a guiding philosophy and practice within mental health field
LO3. understand the role of occupational therapy within the scope of mental health services and mental health specialist and generalist roles such as in early intervention, acute care, rehabilitation and community support
LO4. assess, using relevant occupational therapy assessments, the extent and nature of occupational performance in people with mental illness and with other psychosocial issues
LO5. analyse therapist’s own use of self as a therapeutic tool and apply therapeutic use of self in rapport building, engagement, assessment and intervention with clients
LO6. apply theoretical perspectives and best practice models in planning and implementing occupational therapy programs for people with psychosocial issues as individual sessions and within group therapy
LO7. describe the characteristics of major cognitive impairments impacting on occupational performance in adults with neurological disorders, and discuss the parallels that exist between adult disorders and those that exist in children with developmental and learning disorders
LO8. describe, compare and contrast major theoretical frameworks that have shaped occupational therapy assessment and intervention in this area of practice, and discuss contemporary perspectives on practice
LO9. observe, identify and describe the impact of cognitive impairments on occupational performance illustrated in video-taped examples of clients
LO10. establish occupation-focused goals and therapy aims from assessment findings, and develop intervention plans that are supported by the best available evidence
LO11. synthesise learning by developing a program submission for an occupational therapy program for clients with cognitive impairment.

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
Learning outcomes

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.10		Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise
1.11		Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts
1.15		Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice
1.17		Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients.
1.3		Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships
1.4		Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships
1.7		Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
1.9		Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice
2.1		Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.2		Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making
2.3		Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
2.5		Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting
2.6		Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development
2.8		Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice
2.9		Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3.1		Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement
3.10		Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes
3.11		Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice
3.12		Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
3.13		Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and
3.3		Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals
3.4		Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals
3.7		Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
4.1		Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.11		Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.
4.2		Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
4.9		Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

Closing the loop

Feedback from previous student cohorts has resulted in numerous changes to this unit, including revision of the exam and provision of lecture recordings.

Additional information

Student Administration Manual on the Faculty of Health Sciences

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
Academic appeals
Academic appeals process, special consideration, rules and guidelines, advice and support
Learning and teaching policy
Policy register, policy search
Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
Study resources
Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

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.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OCCP5222: Psychosocial and Cognitive Strategies

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect