Course Title: Clinical Chinese Medicine 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Chinese Medicine 1

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COTH2125	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 1 2014

Course Coordinator: Dr Jing Cui

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7759

Course Coordinator Email: jing.cui@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You should have satisfactorily completed the following prerequisites before you commence this course:

• COTH2119 Chinese Materia Medica and Formulae 2
• COTH2137 Acupuncture Techniques and Clinical Preparation

Alternatively you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course. Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. For further information go to: www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit/he

Note it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For your information the RMIT Course Requisites policy can be found at: www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=twx09y07zi1c

Course Description

Clinical Chinese Medicine 1 is a one-semester course that will cover a number of diseases of internal medicine and dermatology. Preventive measures, nutritional and Chinese dietary advice will also be included. For each of these key topics, the course will cover aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, syndrome differentiation, treatment principles, key Chinese herbal formulae and acupuncture. This course has a substantial practical component where students will be required to put into practice the learning from previous courses in the treatment of disorders of internal medicine and dermatology. The practicum component will consist of observation and treatment of patients under supervision of a qualified and RMIT-approved Chinese medicine practitioner. This course begins to holistically integrate the learning of previous courses, in relation to the areas of internal medicine and dermatology. This course will contribute to the development of an evidence-based approach to the practice of Chinese medicine. It will familiarise students with the broad context within which Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are practised in Australia, including its role within the health-care sector and the political context within which Chinese medicine exists. Regulatory requirements for practitioners and professional ethics and practice management issues will be included.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Objectives
This course contributes to the development of the Program Learning Objectives in the following ways:

• PLO1 provide specialised health care within a patient-centred, evidence-based framework
• PLO2 gather clinical information to make accurate differential diagnoses, assessment and management plans and carry out effective treatment
• PLO3 practice as a competent health care professional in a safe, ethical and legally responsible manner
• PLO4 demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in the provision of specialised health care
• PLO5 communicate effectively in a range of forms (written, online, oral) and with diverse audiences (patients, community/public, agencies and health professionals)
• PLO6 work independently and in teams, specifically to lead and contribute to inter-professional care partnership.
• PLO8 understand the historical development of the profession, its ethos, organisation and philosophical foundations.

Course Learning Objectives
On completion of this course, you will be expected to:

• apply the key Chinese medicine theories and, by synthesising western medicine knowledge and Chinese medicine knowledge, describe the aetiology; pathogenesis; syndrome differentiation; treatment principles; key formulae and modifications; acupuncture prescription (including needling techniques) and modifications; treatment plan, including expected time course for treatment and timing of review or a range of diseases of internal medicine and dermatology
• undertake a case history on a patient, applying Chinese medicine and western medicine knowledge
• describe the components of key herbal formulae and acupuncture prescriptions for treating specific diseases, and how the construction of the formulae relate to the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease
• describe common modifications (and appropriate herbs) of key Chinese medicinal formulae and acupuncture prescription
• design and implement individualised herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment plans
• describe possible adverse reactions, the significance of these and what appropriate action should be taken
• write a Chinese herbal prescription according to standard format
• write appropriate patient instructions for herbal medicine and other acupuncture modalities, and undertake appropriate verbal instruction to the patient
• dispense a prescription according to a written formula for both raw herbs and herbs in powder or granule form, including S1 herbs
• demonstrate awareness of concepts, principles of nutrition and Chinese diet therapy and their application in clinical conditions
• provide dietary advice to a patient for general health management and/or a specific condition.

Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities associated with this course include a mixture of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. Learning experiences that will foster the development of the capabilities to be developed in this course will include problem-based learning and case-based learning experiences. Learning experiences will also provide you the opportunity to practise skills and receive feedback about your skills. The theory and practical skills learned from lectures will be broadened by tutorials. It will also be reiterated and reinforced through clinical observation and/or clinical practice. You will have the opportunity for progressive feedback during the semester on your progress that may take the form of short tests and/or individual analysis of case studies. Practice learning activities will be provided in a variety of ways, including simulated learning activities.

Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources associated with this course will include targeted readings taken from a range of both primary and secondary sources. All material to be chosen will be digitally available to students. Lecture material will be delivered via Lectopia, discussion board interaction and Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate) workshops.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

Overview of Assessment

The assessment associated with this course will comprise a formative and summative assessment and incorporate a variety of assessment modes. You will undertake formative sequential quizzes to challenge your knowledge of all of the objectives associated with this course. Your formative assessment will also require you to keep a log book of your clinical experiences and to attend the Chinese Medicine Clinic in your capacity as a student. Your summative assessment will also challenge and assess your knowledge associated with all of the course learning objectives associated with this course. This assessment may include participation in discussion formats, examinations, assignments and clinical practice laboratories. It may also include use of online technology in the form of a critically reflective online journal or blog. Assessments are designed to require students to demonstrate a critical analysis of the core principles presented in the course.

For information on grades used in RMIT courses see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/grading/highered

Assessment completed in the first half of the semester will provide feedback on your progress. Ongoing feedback on your skills will be provided from peers and staff.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

This course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced, at: www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment