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Unit of study_

NTDT5604: Dietetics Professional Studies

2025 unit information

This unit develops professional communication and organisation/management skills that will enable students to work effectively as dietitians. Dietitians work in varied environments - within private and government organisations, industry and in private practice; within teams and as sole practitioners. Interpersonal, individual and group communication, as well as professional, management, organisational and general business skills are required in all of these areas. This unit of study has two modules: business; and behavioural and social sciences, and cultural competence for effective communication. The first module includes the development of a business plan for a new dietetic business or service. The second module builds foundational knowledge and skills for medical nutrition therapy and health promotion that will be studied in semester 2. Common behavioural theories and behaviour change techniques applied in Nutrition and Dietetics will be explored. Students learn how to translate technical information into easily understood messages and advice and will demonstrate their ability to use these techniques in verbal and written communication and counselling with individuals, small groups and populations. The learning is facilitated by interactive lectures, tutorials and workshops and student presentations.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
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NTDT5601 and (NTDT5602 or FMHU5001) and NTDT5503
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
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None

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

  • LO1. Recognise the determinants of communication, including the impact of personal beliefs and styles.
  • LO2. Employ socially and culturally appropriate communication skills in professional as well as individual client and group settings.
  • LO3. Apply the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) to guide Nutrition and Dietetics counselling and education.
  • LO4. Apply behaviour change theories and apply associated behaviour change techniques (taxonomy) to guide Nutrition and Dietetics counselling and education.
  • LO5. Design a business plan for a new dietetic business or service within an existing organisation that is compliant with all legal and ethical requirements.
  • LO6. Describe strategies businesses use to maintain and enhance performance e.g. marketing, risk management and quality improvement processes.
  • LO7. Develop personal skill development in leadership and conflict resolution.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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