PHPS40800 Dietetics Professional Pract 2

Academic Year 2023/2024

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.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students should be able to:
i. demonstrate an understanding of professional autonomy and accountability across multiple settings
ii. establish proficiency within evidence-based practice and the importance of integrating advanced professional practice knowledge and skills into contemporary dietetic practice
iii. show integration of theoretical and practice-based learning
iv. understand the importance of interpersonal and professional relationships and in particular, how they dictate the empathetic approach taken when dealing with disability, terminal illness, death, dying and bereavement
v. demonstrate knowledge of healthcare delivery and clinical nutrition and dietetic services in Ireland and internationally and an appreciation of management and reporting structures in a variety of settings with specific reference to service development
vi. show an appreciation of broad knowledge of career development and professional issues which may arise during their working career including interview skills, advocacy roles, time management and conflict resolution
vii. demonstrate an appreciation of the role and scope of the dietetics profession as leaders in the healthcare arena and key contributors to service development, care-pathway enhancement and healthcare delivery across all aspects of society
viii. understand the role and scope of dietitians in sustainable food systems and identify areas where dietitians can advise, advocate and make an impact for sustainable development in a variety of healthcare and organisational settings
ix. demonstrate a working knowledge of medico-legal matters pertinent to current and future clinical practice including the dietitian-patient relationship, medico-legal report writing and appearance in Court as an expert witness



Indicative Module Content:

Professionalism
Communication of complex information
Behavioural change skills within the acute healthcare setting
Clinical research ethics
Professional and ethical use of social media
Loss and grief
Legal aspects of professional practice
Open/protected disclosure/whistleblowing
Resilience
Irish healthcare policies
Food sustainability
Creativity, innovation, business in dietetics

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Tutorial

6
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

124
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning
Peer and group work
Lectures
Reflective learning
Case-based learning
Student presentations 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Case-study presentation Week 7 n/a Graded Yes

40
Assignment: Reflective essay Week 6 n/a Graded Yes

20
Assignment: Written assignment Week 4 n/a Graded No

40

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The assessment and feedback on this module is designed to develop skills in professional competencies such as reflective practice, peer-learning, communication and case management in preparation for practice placement within the acute care healthcare setting. The feedback is intended to support student learning to safely practise within the acute healthcare setting and is focused on their learning needs to become autonomous healthcare practitioners within this setting.

Name Role
Dr Sarah Browne Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Ruth Charles Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Clare Corish Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Nicola Dervan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Miss Annelie Shaw Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26 Mon 13:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 23 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 24 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Wed 10:00 - 11:50
Spring