Course Title: Specialist Practice 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Specialist Practice 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1463

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014

BESC1475

Bundoora Campus

Research

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013

Course Coordinator: Dr Prasad Podugu

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7722

Course Coordinator Email: prasad.podugu@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.03.010


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

System Enforced Pre-requisites (Enforced by SAMS)

 


Course Description

Specialist Psychological Practice 1 is designed to build on theoretical and practical knowledge and skills by extending and focusing training on specific ‘specialised’ areas of professional practice. This course focuses on the application of empirically validated interventions in the management of specific psychological problems in adults and the broader issues associated with chronic health conditions. During the course you will focus on the following aspect of psychological practice:

  • Adult Clinical Interventions & Health Psychology


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC002 Master of Clinical Psychology:

  • PLO 1:  Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the theories, models and scientific underpinning of professional psychological practice and its application across behavioural and organisational systems.
  • PLO2:  Develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the legislative frameworks and ethical codes and guidelines that guide professional psychological practice at a personal and professional level.
  • PLO 3:  Design, analyse, synthesise and communicate information from a wide variety of psychological assessments and techniques appropriate to the developmental stage, cognitive level and cultural background of the client, and appropriate to the purpose of the assessment.

 


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

  1. Identify the historical basis of the biomedical and biopsychosocial theoretical models of health care and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
  2. Critically evaluate the empirical research literature relating to a variety of clinical interventions used in the treatment of adult psychological problems and identify major models of health protective behaviour as they relate to clinical populations.
  3. Select appropriate psychological techniques for intervention in a variety of specific adult psychological problems and discuss sources of stress associated with acute and chronic illnesses.
  4. Evaluate, in the context of day-to-day clinical practice, the effectiveness of a variety of interventions used in the treatment of adult psychological problems.
  5. Reflect on and synthesise practical experiences gained in health care agencies with the psychological theory pertinent to illness behaviour.
  6. Appraise behaviour patterns in patients experiencing illness and hospitalisation and identify appropriate interventions.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include a mixture of lectures/seminars, tutorials and skill development activities. Lectures will build on knowledge gained in the program and provide a solid theoretical and practice-driven basis to help to achieve professional practice proficiency. The skill development activities will support entry into professional psychological practice. You are expected to read widely in the areas related to this course.

Teacher Guided Hours: 48

Learner Directed Hours: 72


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. Skill development activities will be provided in a variety of ways, including simulated learning activities. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through online systems.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

The assessment associated with this course comprise a formative and summative assessment tasks and incorporate a variety of assessment modes. Diagnostic and formative assessments will take the form of tests, assignments and practice-based exercises. Summative assessment may include formal examinations and practical evaluations.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Case Study 1 – Group presentation

Weighting 20%

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

Assessment Task 2: Intervention plan in a group setting

Weighting 30%

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

Assessment Task 3: Strength-based biopsychosocial treatment plan

Weighting 50%

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