Course Title: Acupuncture Theory and Practice 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Acupuncture Theory and Practice 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COTH2188	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2016
COTH2188	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	173H School of Health and Biomed	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 1 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 1 2024

Flexible Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COTH2188	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	173H School of Health and Biomed	Face-to-Face	PGRDFlex21 (ZZZZ)

Course Coordinator: Dr George Lenon

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6587

Course Coordinator Email: george.lenon@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 202.04.057

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course provides foundational knowledge for subsequent Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine courses. COTH2188 Acupuncture Theory and Practice 1 is a prerequisite for COTH2190 Acupuncture Theory and Practice 2, COTH2110 Acupuncture Neurophysiology and Techniques, and Clinical Chinese Medicine courses (COTH2111, COTH2113, COTH2191).

You will develop your knowledge and skills in the basic theory of the meridian system and acupuncture points, including connections and Qi flow direction, symptoms and signs of the 8 out of 14 meridians. You will learn to accurately locate and trace meridians and points and understand the functions, indications, contraindications and the anatomical basis of 220 out of 405 acupoints to enable you to apply these clinically.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Objectives for MC024 Master Applied Science (Acupuncture):

• PLO1: Apply your knowledge of Chinese Medicine principles and methods in the diagnosis and management of a range of internal medicine disorders
• PLO2: Plan and perform treatment using acupuncture for a range of disorders in a safe and professional manner
• PLO4: Communicate effectively with patients, other health professionals, regulatory bodies and the general public
• PLO5: Reflect and improve upon your professional practice and build problem solving skills and abilities through lifelong learning.

On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

1. Trace the travelling routes and describe both the manifestations of fourteen meridians and the composition and function of the meridian system.
2. Accurately locate and perform needling techniques as well as understand the clinical applications of acupuncture points  of  first 8 meridians with cultural safety and diversity in mind.
3. Formulate acupuncture prescriptions based on critical analysis of the indications and contraindications of acupuncture points.
4. Evaluate the risks and contraindications associated with acupuncture using your knowledge of the regional anatomy of 100 acupuncture points.
5. Communicate the acupuncture treatment plan, including relevant risks, benefits and options, to patients/their families/other health professionals the purpose of an assessment for acupuncture in a culturally safe way.
6. Analyse the clinical condition of a patient and apply risk minimisation and management strategies for adverse events when performing acupuncture. 

Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include a mixture of face-to-face and/or 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/quizzes and/or individual analysis of case studies. Practice learning activities will be provided in a variety of ways, including simulated learning activities.

This course will provide you an opportunity to develop acupuncture knowledge that is an important basis for Chinese medicine practice including meridian tracing, point location, communication with patients and asepsis techniques.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.

Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

A hurdle requirement is necessary in order to demonstrate to the accrediting body that students are competent and are being sufficiently assessed against practice-focused professional standards throughout the course of their program. Visit http://www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au/ for all relevant polices and guidelines set by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Written Assignment
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 

Assessment Task 2: Practical Examination (HURDLE)
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 

Attendance at practical classes is compulsory for several important reasons, including to prevent potential injury to participants during practical assessments. Therefore, if you don’t attend and participate effectively in at least 85% of your scheduled practical classes you won’t be entitled to a practical assessment opportunity at the end of semester, which is a hurdle requirement 

Assessment Task 3: Case Study Assignment
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 4 

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 Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.