SPTH9125 Professional Studies and Communication Sciences 3

In this topic students will build on their understanding of the key areas of knowledge in speech pathology and make diagnoses and recommend simple treatments related to the key areas of professional practice. Two themes are interrelated: lifespan development and social context and its impact on health. In addition, the four core academic abilities are developed to an intermediate level: Reasoning; Professional Communication; Lifelong Learning; and Professional Role. Both content and skill development such as effective communication and social interaction are undertaken through problem based learning.

This topic aims to:

• Advance students' understanding of the key areas of professional practice as laid down in the Competency-Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) for Speech Pathologists: speech, voice, language, fluency, swallowing and in addition, hearing
• Develop skills and knowledge for making diagnoses and recommending simple treatments
• Consider these in the broader issues of lifespan development and the impact of the social context on health
• Develop students' knowledge and practical skills in applying evidence based practice strategies to answering clinical questions
• Further develop the core academic abilities of reasoning and professional communication

1. Demonstrate increasingly complex understandings of the foundation sciences relevant to speech pathology, including anatomy and physiology, phonetics and linguistics
2. Relate theory to observations in clinical practice and to their research
3. Refine their ability to problem-solve, make simple diagnoses and identify strategies for action
4. Develop criteria for evaluating effectiveness of intervention plans