PHPS40800

This module is designed to develop dietetics professional practice in the context of complex social, cultural, economic, environmental, sustainable development, and healthcare scenarios. The module prepares students for their professional practice placement in the acute setting by focusing on a wide breadth of professional practice concepts including communication, professionalism, professional relationships, scope of practice, professional development, ethics, self-care, collaboration, coordination of care, leadership and others. Students will work in small groups on a range of problems applicable to dietetics practice. The module will allow students to integrate their theoretical and practice-based learning from year one of the programme with their theoretical learning in year 2 using a small group and problem-based learning approach. The module will strengthen clinical reasoning processes related to clinical nutrition and dietetic practice by deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of the relationship between social, psychological, and behavioural factors and quality of life in humans. The role of dietitians in sustainable food systems will be explored through a fieldwork trip, case studies, and theoretical learning. Furthermore, this module will progress dietitians towards a level of professionalism necessary for contemporary practice in a variety of healthcare and health promotion settings [public health service, primary and secondary care, private practice and health promotion settings] with consideration of healthcare reform, health policy and epidemiological trends. The aim is to familiarise the student dietitian with career pathways available to a graduate health professional, provide them with a working knowledge of medico-legal matters pertinent to current and future clinical practice and to provide them with several skills required to deal with the challenges of the workplace including service development, interdisciplinary working, planning, organisation, leadership and communication skills. The module allows students to consider their own leadership skills and attributes and explore their greater contribution, as a health professional, to sculpting future pathways for healthcare, delivery, service enhancement and policy. Through problem-based learning methods, incorporated into this module, students will further develop collaborative skills, information literacy skills, critical thinking skills, evidence-based practice and career-long learning fundamental to continued professional development.

This is a core module for the MSc (level 9) in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and successful completion is a prerequisite for the PHPS40930 Practice Placement (acute) module.