Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in November 2020

Unit description

Provides students with a deepening understanding of the diagnostic theory and methods in primary care medicine, with particular focus on diagnostic imaging, orthopaedics, rheumatology, neurology and pain management. This unit also aims to develop advanced clinical reasoning while integrating the osteopathic principles and practices in patient care. Simulated clinical cases are used to develop clinical reasoning skills.

Unit content

  • Principles of diagnostic imaging
    • Physics
    • Radiology
  • Principles of pain management
    • Review of physiology and pathology of pain
    • Advanced diagnostic skills
    • Pain management in osteopathic practice
  • Principles of orthopaedics
    • Review of pathology
    • Advanced diagnostic skills
  • Principles of rheumatology
    • Review of pathology
    • Advanced diagnostic skills
  • Principles of neurology
    • Review of neuromuscular physiology
    • Pain studies
    • Review of pathology
    • Advanced diagnostic skills
  •  Case study development, including
    • Case history interview
    • Integration of basic and clinical sciences
    • Nutritional and lifestyle considerations
    • Diagnostic work up
    • Development of a rational management plan

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1identify the signs and symptoms of disease in patient presentations in the orthopaedic, rheumatological, and neurological systemsKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
2demonstrate the diagnostic processes in these systems, including physical examination, laboratory and imaging technologies Knowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
3critically explore the integration of the osteopathic concept of health and disease with the diagnostic process Knowledge of a disciplineLifelong learningCultural competence
4construct management of patient cases based on an integrated diagnostic processKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learningCultural competence
5demonstrate beginning clinical reasoning and problem-solving skillsKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. identify the signs and symptoms of disease in patient presentations in the orthopaedic, rheumatological, and neurological systems
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  2. demonstrate the diagnostic processes in these systems, including physical examination, laboratory and imaging technologies
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  3. critically explore the integration of the osteopathic concept of health and disease with the diagnostic process
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  4. construct management of patient cases based on an integrated diagnostic process
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  5. demonstrate beginning clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Lecture online 2 hrs (12 wks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hrs (12 wks)
Assessment
Case study60%
PresentationSR
Exam: closed book40%

Teaching method
Lecture online 2 hrs (12 wks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hrs (12 wks)
Assessment
Case study60%
PresentationSR
Exam: closed book40%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2021 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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