99646 Clinic Level 5 and Acupuncture Microsystems
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particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2015 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 99645 Clinic Level 4 and Acupuncture Techniques 3
Description
Approximately 30 per cent of the undergraduate training program is devoted to gaining clinical experience in preparation for becoming a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. The subject is split into two modules.
- Module 1: Clinical Assistant Level 5 builds on the first two years of theoretical, practical and clinical training and acquaints students with skills and duties required by a final year student–practitioner working in the University's outpatient clinic. Clinical training is continued through the clinical program of the TCM course.
- Module 2: Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques covers special areas of microsystems acupuncture, which has a wide range of applications in the general practice of acupuncture. The theoretical information of general acupuncture and microsystems acupuncture is applied and practised in the advanced treatment techniques practicum/workshop.
Subject objectives
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. | undertake ethical practice of TCM in the outpatient clinic; |
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2. | undertake patient care and clinic management in the outpatient clinic; |
3. | apply the Chinese diagnostic systems in a clinical situation; |
4. | undertake treatment programs from initial assessment to final treatment in the outpatient clinic; |
5. | carry out all aspects of the aseptic techniques required for the practice of acupuncture; |
6. | use professional communication skills in relation to the patient, their fellow students and the practitioner. |
7. | understand the historical development of ear, scalp, ankle & wrist, and abdominal acupuncture microsystems according to their founder over the years. |
8. | define and evaluate the principles behind and the application of special areas of treatment such as the ear, scalp, ankle & wrist, and abdominal acupuncture; |
9. | locate ear, scalp, ankle & wrist, and abdominal acupuncture microsystems and identify the function, and any precautions relating to the points used in acupuncture microsystems; |
10. | explain the importance of infection control in the needling procedure. |
11. | demonstrate and evaluate the diagnostic methods associated with Acupuncture Microsystems; |
12. | demonstrate the application of advanced treatment techniques such as 'affecting two acupuncture points using a single needle? technique, ?plum blossom? needling technique, ?warm needle?, ?fire needle?; |
13. | perform specific needling procedure on specific points/zones which require special techniques, as for example scalp, and ankylo-capsular acupuncture; |
14. | provide indications for and special precautions, relating to major points used in the Acupuncture Microsystems of ear, scalp, ankle & wrist, and abdominal acupuncture microsystems; |
15. | provide indications for, and special precautions, relating to major extra channel points of the body. |
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- An understanding of the nature, practice and application of the chosen science discipline. (1.0)
- The ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways within a professional context, autonomously and collaboratively and across a range of disciplinary and professional areas, e.g. time management skills, personal organisation skills, teamwork skills, computing skills, laboratory skills, data handling, quantitative and graphical literacy skills. (3.0)
- An awareness of the role of science within a global culture and willingness to contribute actively to the shaping of community views on complex issues where the methods and findings of science are relevant. (5.0)
- An understanding of the different forms of communication - writing, reading, speaking, listening -, including visual and graphical, within science and beyond and the ability to apply these appropriately and effectively for different audiences. (6.0)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application
Clinic Level 5 introduces the specialty of micro-systems and advanced needling techniques. The requirement for mandatory clinical hours and maintenance of a clinical log for acupuncture, Chinese medicine and tuina serves to reinforce observed skills through practical application.
An Enquiry-oriented approach
A systematic approach is taken to the deductive process of clinical diagnostics through weekly maintenance of and reporting into a weekly clinical log of personal experiences developed over the semester. Critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills are developed through a combination of observation and practice. A reflective summative report of weekly observations further develops the cohesive and systematic thinking process which is critical to the enquiry process.
Professional skills and their appropriate application
The clinical assessment puts knowledge into practice utilising a criterion based approach. The clinical environment introduces clinical record keeping in the dual formats of patient records and computerised data entry. Other professional skills include diagnostics and patient/supervisor communication. Advanced technical skills are developed in the practical workshops.
Teaching and learning strategies
Module 1: Clinical Assistant Level 5
In Clinical Assistant Level 5 students are required a completion of total 70 hours of clinical training. They are divided into 3 areas of clinical training:
- 30 hours acupuncture clinic
- 25 hours tui na clinic
- 15 hours Chinese herbal medicine clinic
Refer to clinic roster for supervised clinical duties in the University’s outpatient clinic. Students are expected to complete the clinical hours in accordance to the University Clinic Policy. Clinic roster is published at the beginning of the semester and is located in the clinic.
Students may apply to complete their clinic hours with an approved External Honorary Clinical Associates practitioner. Application to complete clinical assistant hours with External Honorary Clinical Associates practitioner can be made to Congxing Yang.
Module 2: Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques
Module 2 includes two hours of lectures a week throughout the semester. A printed handbook of lecture notes supports lectures. Students gain most from the lectures if they read each week's material in advance. Students are expected to attend and participate in a three-hour practicum/workshop each week. There are 11 practicum/workshop sessions.
Content
Module 1: Clinical Assistant Level 5.
Attendance and participation of supervised clinical duties in the University clinic or with an approved external practitioner. Students will assist practitioners as directed including:
- Ethical practice of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine;
- Patient care and clinic management;
- Application of Chinese diagnostic systems;
- Undertaking treatment programs;
- Aseptic techniques required for the practice of acupuncture;
- Professional communication skills in relation to the patient, fellow students, and the practitioner.
For details refer Clinical Procedures & Safe Clinical Practice guide book.
Module 2: Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques.
- The principles behind and the application of special areas of treatment such as the ear, scalp, hand, foot, ankylo-capsular acupuncture, and abdominal acupuncture;
- Extra-channel points: location, special application and methods of treatment, indications for use;
- Microsystems acupuncture: Ear, scalp, abdominal, hand & foot, ankylo-capsular acupuncture;
- Ear acupuncture: areas of the ear, their physical relationship, Chinese ear acupuncture and Western ear acupuncture, major ‘points’ and their location, diagnosis method, treatment principles;
- Scalp acupuncture: zones of scalp, methods of location, areas of brain function and their symptoms, principles of therapy; clinical application;
- Ankylo-capsular acupuncture: historical development, regions of treatment, treatment principles, clinical application;
- Abdominal acupuncture: historical development, regions of treatment, treatment principles, clinical application;
- Special precautions relating to major points used in Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniques;
- Advanced needle techniques: scalp needling, ear acupuncture needling, ankylo-capsular acupuncture needling, warm-needle technique, ‘fire needle’;
- Discrimination between various treatment options on the basis of suitability to the condition of the patient
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Clinical Assessment
Intent: | To address the graduate attributes of: |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 |
Weight: | Pass/Fail |
Length: | Completion of 70 hours clinical training under supervision of a practitioner. |
Criteria: | Criterion referenced performance measures based on competencies that must be met to the satisfaction of clinical supervisors or practitioner. The Case Reports will be evaluated as either 'satisfactory' or 'unsatisfactory'. Reports with insufficent details or lacking adequate reflection will have to be resubmitted |
Assessment task 2: Practicum/workshop
Intent: | To address the graduate attributes of: |
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 |
Weight: | 40% |
Length: | Ongoing throughout the semester during practicum/workshop sessions. |
Criteria: | Each practicum/workshop attendance, including participation, completion of a series of threshold tasks to the satisfaction of the teachers, and discussion is worth 4 marks. There are 10 practicum/workshops, totaling 40 % of the Final Grade. No mark will be given for non-attendance and non-performance. Assessment consists of a series of threshold tasks to test student’s ability to grasp and utilise theoretical knowledge and applied to practical situations, while aiming to give constructive feedback to the student. “Special Consideration” in relation to attendance cannot be taken into account, as the practicum/workshops are practical in focus. It involves both teaching and assessment of needling skills. Though it is understood that you may not be able to attend class due to illness or extraordinary circumstances, the lack of attendance means that your clinical competencies cannot be adequately assessed, nor the situation remediated should competencies prove unsatisfactory overall. Consequently minimum attendance is mandatory. Continuous practical assessment criteria:
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Assessment task 3: TEST 1
Intent: | To assess the level of disciplinary knowledge acquired in Week 1 – Week 5.
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.0 and 3.0 |
Weight: | 30% |
Length: | 2 hours |
Criteria: | Accuracy of answers. |
Assessment task 4: TEST 2
Intent: | To assess the level of disciplinary knowledge acquired in Week 6 – Week 12.
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Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.0 and 3.0 |
Weight: | 30% |
Length: | 2 hours |
Criteria: | Accuracy of answers. |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must:
- Complete all threshold tasks to the satisfaction of the subject coordinator;
- Complete all clinical hours as prescribed in Module 1, to the satisfaction of the practitioner in the clinic.
- Obtain 50% or more of the combined values of Assessment item 2 and Assessment item 3
Students must pass all modules to pass this subject. An X grade may be awarded where there is unsatisfactory performance in any one module.
X Grade
X > 45 Unsatisfactory performance in an assessment item for which a pass is compulsory. This grade indicates to the Results Ratification Committee those students who have failed a subject overall with a mark of 45 or more, but who are ineligible to receive a Conceded Pass because of their failure in a compulsory assessment item. There is no formal upper limit for this grade.
An X grade may be awarded by the subject coordinator for a failure to complete any of the threshold tasks within the specified times or, in consultation with the clinical manager, in relation to a student’s competency within clinical placements and or practical classes. Q grades may be awarded where outstanding clinic hours remain.
Attendance
80% attendance rate is required to pass this subject. (eg. 10 out of 12 lectures or 11 out of 13 workshops)
As a practice based subject attendance in class is mandatory. Medical certificates and other special considerations may be recognised for particular assessment aspects of this subject. Special considerations in relation to attendance rates to practical workshops and clinics cannot be considered as the classes are practical in focus. If you are unable to attend practical/clinic sessions you will not be able demonstrate the required practical competencies. Accordingly, if you miss too many classes then you cannot adequately learn the module content. Your results would accordingly be recorded as X grade (fail).
Required texts
- Congxing Yang (2013), Microsystems and Advanced Treatment Techniquess, UTS: Science.
Recommended texts
- Wang, Y (2009), Micro-acupuncture in Practice, Churchill livingstone, Elservier.
References
1. Abbate S 2006, Advanced Techniques in Oriental Medicine, Thieme, Stutgart, New York.
2. Baldry PE 2005, Acupuncture, Trigger Points, and Musculoskeletal Pain, 3rd edn, Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.
3. Chen, K & Cui, Y 1991, Handbook to Chinese Auricular Therapy, Foreign Language Press, Beijing.
4. Cheng, X 1987, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Foreign Languages Press, Beijing.
5. Deadman, P & Al Khafaji, M 1998, A Manual of Acupuncture, and Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
6. Frank, BL 2007, Auricular Medicine and Auricular Therapy, A Practical Approach, Author House, UK.
7. Hecker H, Steveling A, Peuker E, & Kastner J 2005, Practice of Acupuncture, Thieme, Stuttgart , New York.
8. Hecker H, Steveling A, & Peuker E 2006, Microsystems Acupuncture, Thieme, Stuttgart , New York.
9. Landgren, K 2008, Ear Acupuncture, A Practical Guide, Churchill Livingstone, Elservier.
10. Maciocia G 2006, The Channels of Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier
11. Muscolino JE 2005, The Muscular System Manual, 2nd edn, Elsevier, Missouri.
12. Nogier PMF (Kenyon JN trans.) 1981, Handbook of Auriculotherapy, Maisonneuve, France.
13. Nogier, P 1985, The Man in the Ear, Maisonneuve, France.
14. Oleson, T 2003, Auriculotherapy Manual – Chinese and Western Systems of Ear Acupuncture, Churchill Livingstone.
15. Rubach, A 2001, Principles of Ear Acupuncture - Microsystems of the Auricle, Thieme, Stuttgart, New York.
16. Walsh, S 2006, Clinical Procedures & Safe Clinical Practice - A guide for students and supervisors, UTS: Science.
17. Wexu, M 1975, The Ear Gateway to Balance the Body – A Modern Guide to Ear Acupuncture, ASI Publishers, Inc., New York.
18. Yau, PS 1990 (edited and translated), Scalp Needling Therapy, Medicine & Health Publishing Co, Hong Kong.
