PHPS41200 Dietetics Prof Practice 1

Academic Year 2022/2023

Evidence based practice is core to a dietitian’s professional role. This module is designed to introduce students to the importance of evidence-based practice in preparation for professional practice placements. Students will be introduced to the work of the dietitian including the nutrition care process and behavioural change skills. The module will provide students with a foundation in professional, interprofessional, ethical and health and safety issues. The module also addresses areas such as confidentiality, the patient/client relationship and data protection, referencing key legislation and policy documents. Students receive education in risk assessment, manual handling and infection control. The module will also provide students with an overview of the regulatory and health service environments in which they will practise and address professional body membership and continuing professional development. Students will learn about the concepts of problem-based learning and reflective practice and will apply these to a number of cases requiring dietetics interventions. This is a core module for the MSc (level 9) in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and successful completion is a pre-requisite for the MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Placement modules.

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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
ii. demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice and the importance of this to contemporary dietetic practice
iii. describe and demonstrate application of the nutrition care process using the ADIME (assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation) model
iv. describe the communication and behavioural change skills commonly used in dietetic professional practice and demonstrate their application in role play
v. understand the importance of ethical and professional behaviour in clinical practice and research in health and education settings
vi. understand the importance of interpersonal and professional relationships
vii. understand the responsibilities of practitioners in relation to legislation governing statutory registration, codes of professional practice, data protection, freedom of information, safety, health and welfare at work
viii. understand the key principles of risk assessment, health and safety and infection control procedures
ix. understand the structure of Irish and dietetic healthcare systems and how these inform provision of quality dietetic practice
x. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of continuous personal and professional development in provision of quality care

Indicative Module Content:

Behavioural change skills
Nutrition care process
Problem-based learning in preparation for practice placements within the healthcare setting
Problem-based learning focused on interdisciplinary team-working development
Reflective practice and writing
Clinical nutrition and dietetics professional skills
Peer assessment and feedback
Health and safety at work, risk assessment
Legal and ethical aspects of dietetic practice
Social media
Child protection
Statutory registration

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14

Tutorial

10

Seminar (or Webinar)

2

Practical

18

Specified Learning Activities

100

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

244

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active / task-based learning
Peer and group work
Peer assessment and feedback
Lectures
Reflective learning
Problem-based learning
Case-based learning
Practical workshops 
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: Reflective Writing Essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded Yes

40

Continuous Assessment: Short questions on behaviour change skills Week 4 n/a Graded No

5

Practical Examination: Practice for OSCE Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

10

Group Project: Group presentation on problem-based learning Week 10 n/a Graded No

5

Practical Examination: Final OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) 1 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Graded Yes

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Assessment and feedback strategies in this module are designed to prepare students for paired practice placement modules in the healthcare setting. Students must demonstrate an ability to provide and accept constructive feedback from academic staff and student peers on their learning and professional skills in preparation for practice placements. The short questions are an open book assessment to facilitate students' development of behaviour change skills. Group feedback and an opportunity for individual feedback, if needed thereafter, are offered. The reflective essay follows problem-based learning classes on preparation for placements within the healthcare setting and incorporates reflection from peer assessment of behaviour change skills practical tutorials. Individual feedback is provided via text and/or audio on Brightspace by the module coordinator. The observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a competence-based examination of professional dietetic skills which must be demonstrated on practice placements within healthcare settings. A mock OSCE will support students preparation for the OSCE, when tutor feedback will be provided verbally and in writing. Feedback from the OSCE proper is offered to students verbally via individual meetings. Feedback on each assessment informs students' progression through the module and facilitates identification of strengths and areas requiring development before commencing the first practice placement.

Name Role
Mrs Ruth Charles Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Clare Corish Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Tara Cusack Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Nicola Dervan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Laura McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Miss Annelie Shaw Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Penpatra Sripaiboonkij Lecturer / Co-Lecturer