Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The unit identifies the legal, ethical, financial and professional frameworks that guide practice management in the public and private health sectors. As pre-professionals, students combine administrative and organisational skills to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, efficient, high quality health services in compliance with relevant policies and guidelines. Essential knowledge in accounting, marketing, human resources, project management and professional management is applied to 'real world' tasks to prepare the student for transition to the management responsibilities of professional practice.

Aims

The aim of the PU43 course is
¿to meet the needs of the community by preparing graduates with the contemporary knowledge, skills and attributes expected of independent health practitioners in podiatry¿

The aim of this unit is to ensure students can effectively apply knowledge and skills in diverse and essential components of practice management. The unit focuses on the ability to appraise options in financial, marketing, project management and professional management and decide on appropriate strategies to reach practice management and professional goals.

Objectives

At completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply practice management principles in accounting, marketing, project management and human resources to solve problems in a health care context.
   
2. Formulate marketing plans for health care services, create health education resources and prepare a project outline for a health service initiative.
   
3. Design and monitor effective and efficient services and resources with reference to principles of risk management, audit and quality assurance
   
4. Apply core principles of ethical behaviour in a client care setting.

These learning outcomes address elements of the National Podiatry Competencies from the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council;

PC 1. Practise podiatry in a professional manner
PC 2. Continue to acquire and review knowledge for ongoing clinical and professional practice improvement
PC 3. Communicate and interrelate effectively in diverse contexts
PC 7. Implement and evaluate management plan
PC 8. Provide education and contribute to an effective health care system

Content

The professional

• Legal, ethical and regulatory requirements
  
• Professionalism
  
• Continuing professional education

Practice Management Principles

1. Accounting - balance sheets, budgets, cashflow, business reporting and audit
   
2. Marketing - internal, external, private sector services, public sector services, referral pathways, ethical approaches and disclosure of interests
   
3. Human Resources - responsibilities of employers, responsibilities of employees, interacting with supervisors and peers, supervising others in the workplace, legal obligations - awards, Workplace Health and Safety Legislation
   
4. Project management - planning and execution
   
5. Quality Assurance - risk management, audit, quality assurance, programme evaluation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal mode. Authentic and real world experiences will be critiqued to link the application of these principles in practice. Online examples and case studies will illustrate the effective application of these skills in private and public practice settings. Students will reflect on practice and consolidate skills to prepare for the transition to their professional practice.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed by the end of the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Students will be required to use their knowledge and skills acquired in this unit to answer questions in a theory exam.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester


Assessment name: Presentation (Oral)
Description: Students will be required to present a critical reflection based on an issue relating to principles of professional ethics and practice management.
Relates to objectives: 3 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester


Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Maister, D. H. (2003). Managing the professional service firm.. London: Simon & Schuster.

Stewart, C., Kerridge, I. H., & Parker, M. (2007). The Australian medico-legal handbook. Marrickville, N.S.W.: Elsevier Australia.

Standards Australia & Standards New Zealand AS/NZS 4360. (2004) Risk Management, Homebush NSW: Standards Australia.

Podiatry Board of Australia - Registration Standards. Available at:

Podiatry Board of Australia - Policies, Codes and Guidelines. Available at:

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Risk assessment statement

No out of the ordinary risks are associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Dec-2012