Course Title: Differential Diagnosis in Western Medicine

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Differential Diagnosis in Western Medicine

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2049

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 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,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

MEDS2049

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

MEDS2049

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Internet

 Sem 1 2021

MEDS2129

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 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,
Sem 1 2016

Course Coordinator: Michael Fleischmann

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: michael.fleischmann2@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study (Pre-requisites)

OR


Course Description

This course provides an introduction to clinical decision making and western medical diagnosis. You will focus on clinically related knowledge and the presentations of common clinical conditions. Western medical terminology included in the course will contribute to your achievement in communication capabilities that are important in communication across disciplines in clinical practice. The learning outcomes associated with this course will enable you to identify the important issues underlying a patient’s clinical presentation including the risk factors for important/prevalent diseases, the impact of social and lifestyle choices, preventative measures and indications for referral.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP278 (Chinese Medicine)

  • PLO 1 Provide specialised health care within a patient centred evidence based framework
  • PLO 2 Gather clinical information to make accurate differential diagnosis, assessment and management plans to carry out effective treatment
  • PLO 3 Practise as a competent health care professional in a safe ethical and legally responsible manner
  • PLO 4 Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in the provision of specialised health care
  • PLO 5 Communicate effectively in a range of forms (written, online, oral) and with diverse audiences (patients, community/public, agencies and health professionals)
  • PLO 6 Work independently and in teams specifically to lead and contribute to inter professional care partnerships

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP280 (Chiropractic)

  • PLO 1 Provide specialised health care within a patient centred evidence based framework
  • PLO 2 Gather clinical information to make accurate differential diagnosis, assessment and management plans to carry out effective treatment
  • PLO 3 Practice as a competent health care professional in a safe ethical and legally responsible manner
  • PLO 4 Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in the provision of specialised health care
  • PLO 5 Communicate effectively in a range of forms (written, online, oral) and with diverse audiences (patients, community/public, agencies and health professionals)

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP279 (Osteopathy)

  • PLO 1 Provide patient-centred care as a competent, safe primary healthcare professional
  • PLO 2 Provide osteopathic, musculo-skeletal healthcare within a patient-centred, evidence-based framework
  • PLO 3 Gather and interpret health information, and employ clinical reasoning to develop differential diagnoses, to inform assessment and management
  • PLO 4 Effectively communicate with a wide audience (i.e. patients, carers, healthcare professionals and agencies), with respect and sensitivity to socio-cultural diversity, using a variety of media
  • PLO 6 Work autonomously and collaboratively, to lead and/or contribute to inter-professional healthcare partnerships

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP032 (Nursing)

 Provision and Coordination of Care

  • PLO 6: Plans nursing care in consultation with individuals / groups, significant others and the interdisciplinary health care team
  • PLO 7: Provides comprehensive, safe and effective evidence based nursing care to achieve identified individual / group outcomes
  • PLO 8: Evaluates progress towards expected individual / group health outcomes in consultation with individuals / groups, significant others and interdisciplinary team

(Reference : Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse)

 


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

  1. Devise a list of epidemiological risk factors, the impact of social and lifestyle choices, and preventative measures for important/prevalent disease processes. 
  2. Integrate elements of a patients clinical history including medications, physical examination findings and prior medical history to construct a well informed view of a patient. 
  3. Evaluate your working diagnosis using epidemiological data of potential differential diagnoses for common and important western medicine patient presentations.  
  4. Critically reflect on the role of an Allied Health practitioner in identifying diseases that lie outside their scope of practice and the necessity and priority of appropriate referrals.  
  5. Demonstrate clinical reasoning to arrive at a justifiable diagnosis 
  6. Advocate for patients by communicating pertinent details of the patient's history in language appropriate for western medical referrals.


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities in this course are designed to engage you actively in the learning process, to aid development of both theoretical knowledge and clinical practice skills. Learning activities may include modalities such as asynchronous lectures, tutorials, podcasts and collaborate Ultra sessions, readings and case presentations.


Overview of Learning Resources

Lecture material will be delivered asynchronously via the Learning management system (Canvas), and through in class participation (Collaborate Ultra sessions). The lectures and reading material associated with this course will include targeted readings taken from a range of both primary and secondary sources.

Lecture materials are intended to be supported by the prescribed readings. However, they do not substitute for wider reading but provide an opportunity to focus on specific details, complex areas and life examples.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Tasks Task 1: Scenario Quizzes

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 2: Team work Case Study

Weighting 45%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Viva

Weighting 45%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3  4, 5 & 6