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Unit outline_

CSCD5071: Interdisciplinary Practice: Complex Cases

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Students will learn about the multifaceted clinical, communication, and swallowing issues that occur for clients with complex impairments across the lifespan. They will also extend their knowledge of interdisciplinary care and learn how to advocate for the role of the speech pathologist in these teams as well as advance the skills of other professionals to provide better support for communication and swallowing impairment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Communication Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CSCD5068 and CSCD5069 and CSCD5070 and CSCD5075
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alison Purcell, alison.purcell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: This unit is taught in an intensive block in semester 1a that starts the week of Monday1st March. Each week students will attend 3 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorials for 4 weeks. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

As these are complex cases specific research articles are provided for each complex case.  

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify the multifaceted clinical, communication (including speech, language, hearing, fluency) and swallowing issues that occur for clients with complex impairments (e.g. prenatal genetic disorder, progressive neurological disease, mental health difficulties)
  • LO2. understand a range of issues facing clients with complex issues and their carers and/or service providers
  • LO3. understand the roles of different professionals and team-based care for clients with complex needs
  • LO4. design an appropriate interdisciplinary team based on the client’s complex needs
  • LO5. plan appropriate training for interdisciplinary team members relating to speech pathology practices for clients with complex needs
  • LO6. use a high standard of oral and written professional communication skills when liaising with peers, colleagues, and other interdisciplinary professionals
  • LO7. create and deliver new knowledge on the importance of speech pathology practice for clients with complex needs
  • LO8. act thoughtfully, and use culturally safe and respectful behaviour in all oral and written interactions
  • LO9. educate other professionals on the role of speech pathology to improve speech pathology service access for clients with complex needs
  • LO10. advocate for the role of speech pathology profession with clients with complex needs
  • LO11. build the skills of other professionals to provide appropriate speech pathology services to improve speech pathology service access for clients with complex needs
  • LO12. collaborate with other professionals to plan intervention for clients with complex needs
  • LO13. develop, contribute to, and maintain a collaborative, professional and team-based working relationship in all professional experiences
  • LO14. use the highest ethical conduct with respect for self, colleagues, and client cases
  • LO15. influence change in other professionals through advocacy for the speech pathology profession.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
2.1. Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
3.1. Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.2. Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
LO2
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
3.1. Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
LO3
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
3.2. Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
LO4
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
5. Planning, providing and managing speech pathology services
LO5
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
LO6
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
5.3. Manage own provision of speech pathology services and workload.
7.1. Uphold the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and work within all the relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
LO7
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
3. Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices
3.1. Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.7. Document speech pathology intervention plans, goals and outcome measurement.
LO8
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
5.3. Manage own provision of speech pathology services and workload.
LO9
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
3. Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices
3.1. Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.2. Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
7.4. Advocate for self, client and the speech pathology profession.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
2.5. Provide feedback on results of interpreted speech pathology assessments to the client and/or significant others and referral sources, and discuss management.
3. Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices
3.2. Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.5. Select an evidence-based speech pathology approach or intervention in collaboration with the client and significant others.
4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
7.4. Advocate for self, client and the speech pathology profession.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
3.5. Select an evidence-based speech pathology approach or intervention in collaboration with the client and significant others.
4.5. Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
4.1. Establish rapport and facilitate participation in speech pathology intervention.
4.5. Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
4.6. Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
5. Planning, providing and managing speech pathology services
7.4. Advocate for self, client and the speech pathology profession.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
7.1. Uphold the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and work within all the relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists - SPA
7.4. Advocate for self, client and the speech pathology profession.
Competency-based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Investigate and document the client’s communication and/or swallowing condition and explore the primary concerns of the client.
1.2 A Identify the communication and/or swallowing conditions requiring investigation and use the best available scientific and clinical evidence to determine the most suitable assessment procedures in partnership with the client.
2.1 A Analyse and interpret speech pathology assessment data.
2.2 A Identify gaps in information required to understand the client’s communication and swallowing issues and seek information to fill those gaps.
2.3 A Determine the basis for or diagnosis of the communication and/or swallowing condition and determine the possible outcomes.
3.1 A Use integrated and interpreted information (outlined in Unit 2) relevant to the communication and/or swallowing condition, and/or the service provider’s policies and priorities to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.2 A Seek additional information required to plan evidence-based speech pathology practice.
3.5 A Select an evidence-based speech pathology approach or intervention in collaboration with the client and significant others.
3.6 A Define roles and responsibilities for the management of the client’s swallowing and/ or communication condition.
4.2 A Implement an evidence-based speech pathology intervention according to the information obtained from speech pathology assessment, interpretation and planning (see Units 1, 2, and 3).
4.5 A Identify the scope and nature of speech pathology practice in a range of community and work place contexts.
4.6 A Undertake preventative, educational and/or promotional projects or programs on speech pathology and other related topics as part of a team with other professionals.
5.3 A Manage own provision of speech pathology services and workload.
7.1 A Uphold the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics and work within all the relevant legislation and legal constraints, including medico-legal responsibilities.
7.4 A Advocate for self, client and the speech pathology profession.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on student feedback in 2019 the word count on the case snapshot has been increased to 1000 words from 700. Based on 2020 student feedback the adult complex cases are delivered in Week 1 and 2.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.