Credit Points 10

Coordinator Louis Shabella Opens in new window

Description This subject introduces students to diverse populations including those with mental illness, substance dependence issues including drugs and alcohol, and those who engage in recreational drug use. Students will explore health behaviour and contemporary models of care including recovery-focussed care, underpinned by a biopsychosocial framework. The nature of contemporary paramedicine will be examined, with a focus on concepts including motivational interviewing, opportunistic counselling, and brief interventions.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Paramedical Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 2 subject

Pre-requisite(s) HLTH 1019

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4790 Bachelor of Paramedicine or 4669 Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine).

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this Subject, students will be able to:

1. Conduct systematic examination of vulnerable people presenting with behavioural disturbances, abnormal psychology or intoxication
2. Formulate and implement paramedic-facilitated care plans for people presenting with behavioural disturbances, abnormal psychology or intoxication across the lifespan
3. Apply the principles of recovery-based care to mental health and mental illness, including broad types of mental disorders
4. Demonstrate a risk-based approach to decision making relating to determination of patient disposition
5. Apply medico-legal and ethical principles to paramedic management of vulnerable populations
6. Reframe interactions with people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent to design collaborative pathways in the context of mental healthcare and addiction.

Subject Content

1. Contemporary healthcare frameworks for vulnerable populations including recovery-based care and harm-minimisation
2. Abnormal psychology across the lifespan with a focus on anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and addiction
3. Acute behavioural disorders across the lifespan, including dementia, delirium and cognitive decline
4. Clinical reasoning, risk assessment and risk mitigation in paramedicine contexts
5. Stigma and its impact on healthcare provision and vulnerable patients
6. Paramedic management of mental health, behavioural and substance use presentations
7. Provision of mental health and substance addiction and dependence care to people of Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander origins
8. Medico-legal principles and considerations underpinning provision of care to diverse populations

Special Requirements

Essential equipment

Students are expected to have a complete WSU student paramedic uniform as described in the WSU Paramedicine uniform guide.  Uniform must be worn for practical sessions within this unit.