University of Sydney Handbooks - 2018 Archive

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Clinical Neurophysiology

 

Unit of study descriptions

CEPI5100 Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Fiona Stanaway Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Offered online and face-to-face (daytime tutorials) Prohibitions: PUBH5010 Assessment: Completion of online quizzes (15%), tutorial participation (10%), assignment 1 (15%), assignment 2 (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day, Online
This unit introduces the concept of clinical epidemiology and provides students with core skills in clinical epidemiology at an introductory level. Topics covered include asking and answering clinical questions; basic and accessible literature searching techniques; study designs used in clinical epidemiological research; confounding and effect modification; sources of bias; interpretation of results including odds ratios, relative risks, confidence intervals and p values; applicability of results to individual patients; critical appraisal of clinical epidemiological research literature used to answer questions of therapy (RCTs and systematic reviews), harm, prognosis, diagnosis, screening and clinical guidelines.
Textbooks
Online readings and resources to be provided on the eLearning website.
CEPI5200 Quality and Safety in Health Care

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Merrilyn Walton Session: Semester 1 Classes: offered online Assessment: online participation (20%); 4 x 1500 word assignments (80%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: People working in health care will benefit from this course.
This course is specifically designed for health professionals who are working in health care. It will equip participants with underpinning knowledge about patient safety. The course modules cover quality and safety principles, professionalism and ethics, risk management and risk information, complexity theory, clinical governance and the impact of adverse events, methods to measure and make improvements in health care. The modules, tools and the discussions are designed to enable participants to change behaviours by understanding the main causes of adverse events-poor team work, busyness, hierachies. The course provides foundation knowledge about quality and safety; governments around the world are concerned to address unsafe care. The course will better prepare health professional to understand the complexity of health care and take steps to minimise the opportunities for errors and address vulnerabilities in the system.
Textbooks
Runciman, Bill, Merry A Walton M. Safety and Ethics in Healthcare: A Guide to Getting it Right. 2007 Asgate Publisher.
CEPI5215 Writing and Reviewing Medical Papers

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Angela Webster Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 9 self-paced modules each comprising: course notes, lecture, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes Prerequisites: (PUBH5010 or CEPI5100) Prohibitions: CEPI5214 Assumed knowledge: Some basic knowledge of summary statistic is assumed Assessment: quizzes (30%), assignment 1 (20%), assignment 2 (50%) Mode of delivery: Online, Block mode
Note: Students without the pre-requisites are encouraged to contact the unit coordinator to discuss their motivation and experience.
Students will work at their own pace through 9 modules covering research integrity, medical style, abstracts, presentations and posters, constructing a paper, data visualisation, manuscript submission, responding to reviewers comments, publication dissemination, and reviewing a paper. This unit aims to teach students the principles of research integrity in writing for medical journals, typical issues they may face, and link to resources to help them maintain integrity through their publishing careers. It will guide them to reliable evidence based resources to improve their conference abstract, presentation and poster design, and manuscript style and writing.. Students will learn about reporting guidelines, common pitfalls in writing and presenting research, choosing a journal, keywords, improving tables and figures for manuscripts through open source software, copyright, writing cover letters and response letters to reviewers. Students will learn about measuring research impact and ways to improve your research reach, dealing with the media and press releases, using social media in dissemination, digital archiving and basic skills needed to act as a quality peer-reviewer. This is an online unit, but those needing to study in block mode will do online study as well as a workshop.
Textbooks
No mandatory text book-readings available online.
CEPI5300 Research Grants: theory and practice

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Germaine Wong Session: Semester 1 Classes: 12 online or face-to-face sessions and 1 face-to-face workshop (June) Prerequisites: (PUBH5010 or CEPI5100) and PUBH5018 Prohibitions: CEPI5505 Assessment: 1 x written research proposal(40%); online class presentations (30%); peer assessment (30%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
In this unit of study, the student will develop his/her own research proposal, to a standard suitable for a peer-reviewed granting body. Each section of a grant proposal (Aims, Background/Significance, Methods, Analysis) will be discussed, with the student presenting and refining the corresponding section of his/her own proposal in a synchronous online workshop setting. This will then be complemented by online presentations from experienced researchers on the practical aspects of clinical research, followed by synchronous online class discussion. Topics include: observational studies, randomized controlled trials, diagnostic test evaluation, qualitative studies, funding application, ethical approval, publication strategies and grant administration. The unit will conclude with a one-day, face- to-face, mandatory workshop- where students will learn about budgeting, peer review of research grants, and present their completed research proposal.
CEPI5315 Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sharon Reid, Professor Jonathan Craig Session: Semester 1 Classes: all students will work through four online-modules and participate in weekly tutorials (online or on-campus depending on mode enrolled) over 12 weeks Corequisites: CEPI5100 or PUBH5010 Prohibitions: CEPI5203 or CEPI5102 or CEPI5314 Assessment: module assessment tasks (30%) and 1 x 4000 word assignment (70%) after the modules are completed Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day, Online
In this unit of study, we aim to introduce you to systematic reviews and meta-analyses of relevance to healthcare with a particular focus on systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials. Students can choose to learn in online or normal day (on-campus) mode. All students will work through four online modules, delivered over twelve weeks, addressing the following topics at an introductory level: What and why systematic reviews (and meta-analysis); How to formulate answerable healthcare questions and searching for systematic reviews; how a systematic review is conducted and understanding the principles of meta-analysis; and how to appraise, interpret and apply the results of systematic reviews (and meta-analyses). Students will have the opportunity to discuss unit of study learning materials in online tutorials or via weekly (on-campus) tutorials. Readings and other learning materials will be available via eLearning.
Textbooks
Readings and access to other learning resources are available through the unit's elearning site
CLNP5001 Basic Sciences in Clinical Neurophysiology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Miguel Iglesias Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online lectures, webinars and/or discussion forums Assessment: Online quizzes (20%); video and written short answer questions (30%); participation in generation and peer review of assessment items (10%); online exam (40%). Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Students can apply for a waiver if they have completed equivalent study within the last 5 years. Evidence of previous study will be required and completion of an RPL examination.
This unit of study provides the core anatomical, physiological and electrical knowledge required for the practice of clinical neurophysiology. In order to obtain and interpret information regarding the function of the neural systems, clinicians must be able to accurately record and quantify electrical signals from a myriad of neurological structures. The methods by which these electrical signals are generated, recorded, processed and presented for interpretation are studied. The relevant aspects of neurology and physiology will be presented as well as the role of clinical neurophysiology in the diagnosis of disease.
CLNP5002 Diagnostic Electroencephalography

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Karen Storchenegger Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online lectures, webinars and/or discussion forums, 2 day face-to-face workshop (compulsory) Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (20%); short answer questions (20%); participation in generation and peer review of assessment items (10%); participation in online discussion forums (10%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Critical Care and Internal Medicine students must request special permission to enrol in this unit of study.
Electroencephalography (EEG) forms the basis of multiple neurophysiological techniques and is an extremely powerful tool in its own right. This unit will introduce the standardised systems and nomenclature for EEG recordings, examine the characteristics of normal recordings and illustrate the pathological changes associated with intracranial lesions, systemic disease and critical illness. The utility of EEG in the diagnosis and management of seizure disorders will be examined in detail.
CLNP5003 Clinical Neurophysiology Techniques

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr James Burrell Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online learning, webinars and/or discussion forums, compulsory 2 day face-to-face workshop (compulsory) Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (30%); 2 x 1,000 word written assignments (20%); generation and peer review of assessment items (10%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Clinical neurophysiologists are required to have expertise in a number of different diagnostic and monitoring modalities. This unit will cover the most commonly used diagnostic techniques (other than EEG) and will particularly focus on nerve conduction studies and sensory evoked potential recordings.
CLNP5004 Advanced Electroencephalography

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Samantha Soe Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online learning, webinars and/or discussion forums, 2 day face-to-face workshop (compulsory) Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (20%); short answer questions (20%); participation discussion groups and/or webinar tutorials (10%); generation and peer review of assessment items (10%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Internal Medicine students must request special permission to enrol in this unit of study.
This unit covers advanced aspects of diagnostic electroencephalography, including the specific technical requirements for continuous video EEG monitoring, seizure recognition during invasive EEG monitoring, current techniques in cortical mapping of seizures and its utility in tailored cortical resection.
CLNP5005 Neuromonitoring in Anaesthesia

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Adam Hastings Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online learning, webinars and/or discussion forums Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (10%); short answer questions (20%); participation in webinar tutorials and/or discussion groups (10%); generation and peer review of assessment items (20%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Critical Care students must request special permission to enrol in this unit of study.
This unit will examine the techniques available to monitor the function and wellbeing of the brain and nervous system during anaesthesia and surgery. Despite their widespread use, the effect of general anaesthetic agents on the brain and spinal cord is still poorly understood. There is wide interpatient variability in responses to these agents, and intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations and underlying disease processes are all threats to the central nervous system which may be mitigated by careful monitoring.
CLNP5006 Intraoperative Monitoring I

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Adam Rehak Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online learning, webinars and/or discussion forums, compulsory 1 day face-to-face workshop (compulsory) Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (20%); short answer questions (30%); participation in online discussion forums and/ or webinars (10%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Critical Care students must request special permission to enrol in this unit of study.
Unexpected postoperative motor deficit is arguably one of the most devastating potential complications of surgery. This unit will examine the methods used for monitoring the function and safety of cranial and peripheral motor nerves, the techniques used for risk reduction during spinal instrumentation and the use of motor evoked potential monitoring in both spinal and non-spinal surgery.
CLNP5007 Intraoperative Monitoring II

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Adam Rehak Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online learning, webinars and/or discussion forums, compulsory 1 day face-to-face workshop Corequisites: CLNP5001 Assessment: Online quizzes (20%); short answer questions (30%); participation in online discussiion forums and/or webinars (10%); online exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Inadvertent intraoperative damage to the sensory components of the nervous system is often subtle and difficult to predict. This unit focuses on intraoperative monitoring of the somatosensory and auditory systems for both neurological and non-neurological surgery. The rationale for test selection for various surgical procedures is also examined.
CRIT5005 Clinical Reasoning and Communication

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Renee Lim Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online learning and compulsory face to face workshop (1x 2 days) Assessment: 5 x 300-500 word clinical case study tasks (25%), participation in on-line discussion tasks and quizzes (10%), participation in 2 day face to face communication skills training session (30%), 1 x 1,500-2,000 word written assignment (35%) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Places in this unit are limited and departmental permission is required.
Critical care medicine is practised in highly charged and stressful settings and requires many decisions to be made quickly with limited information and resources. There are also many 'players' and confusion and miscommunication can easily occur. The hierarchical nature of hospital based practice and tribal differences between professions bring their own challenges. This unit of study aims to help clinicians develop decision making and high level communication skills in order to effectively care for patients, engage carers and relatives and perform optimally as a team member or leader. The unit is built around complex clinical cases and includes simulations using actors and experts.
Textbooks
Online readings
INTM5002 Basic Neurology

Credit points: 3 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Leo Davies, Dr Peter Puhl Session: Semester 1 Classes: online lectures, webinars, discussion boards and podcasts Assessment: on-line exam (50%) 1 x 1000 word case study (25%) online quizzes (10%); participation in the generation and peer review of assessment items (10%) and participation in online discussion forums (5%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: This unit of study is available only to registered medical graduates working in an Australia clinical setting.
The Basic Neurology syllabus covers the requirements of trainee physician practice. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of common neurological conditions and the essentials of management of these conditions. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important neurological conditions.
Textbooks
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 19th ed, Mcgraw-Hill 2015; Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 5th ed Oxford Medicine Online 2016.
INTM5102 Advanced Neurology

Credit points: 3 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Leo Davies, Dr Peter Puhl Session: Semester 2 Classes: online lectures, webinars, discussion boards and podcasts Assessment: on-line exam (45%) 1 x 1000 word case study (30%) online quizzes (10%) and participation in online discussion forums (15%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: This unit of study is available only to registered medical graduates working in an Australian clinical setting.
The Advanced Neurology syllabus is at a level appropriate for practitioners undertaking specialist training in Neurology or with an interest in the field. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of important but less common neurological conditions and advanced management of common and important neurological diseases. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important neurological conditions.
Textbooks
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 19th ed, Mcgraw-Hill 2015; Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 5th ed Oxford Medicine Online 2016.
MEDF5002 Teaching in the Clinical Environment

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Marguerite Tracy Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1 day face to face workshop 9am - 3pm (not compulsory) and online learning. students who do not attend the face to face will be required to complete an alternative ungraded learning activity. Assessment: 20% personal learning plan (1500 words); 20% online activities; 60% portfolio of evidence of learning (4500 words equivalent) Mode of delivery: Distance education/intensive on campus
Almost all healthcare professionals are involved in education and training throughout their careers. This unit of study provides a practical introduction to the theory and practice of teaching and learning in the health environment. The unit will cover 3 main areas: planning for and facilitating learning in the clinical environment; assessing performance and providing constructive feedback; and fostering the development of students as professionals. Each of these areas will be underpinned by best evidence from clinical education research and will address current challenges and opportunities in the learning environment. This will include the role of new technologies from the perspective of both educators and learners. Participants in the course will gain a framework they can use to support their teaching, and will develop a portfolio of evidence to support their professional development as clinician educators.
MEDF5301 Project (Advanced Masters)

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Students must have a University of Sydney staff member or university approved supervisor for their project. Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Students will be required to have regular contact with their supervisor to discuss the progress of their project. Assessment: 2,000 wd written project proposal (30%) and written final work of up to 10,000 wds, or a publication (as negotiated) (70%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Approval of the project and supervisor by the course coordinator must be confirmed prior to commencing the project.
Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master's degree. The project may take the form of analysis of an existing data set, a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. In some streams, critical care for example, projects may be available for students to select. It is essential, where there is the use of patient information or recruitiment of patient study subjects, that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. The candidature will be guided through the steps required to plan and execute a substantial research project, and prepare a scholarly work which may be a paper for publication. A candidate must enrol in a minimum of 12 credit points of project units of study in order to submit their final written work.
MEDF5302 Project (Advanced Masters) (Part A)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Students must have a University of Sydney staff member or clinical associate supervising their project. Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Students will be required to have regular contact with their supervisor to discuss the progress of their project Assessment: 2,000 wd written project proposal (30%) and written final work of up to 10,000 wds, or a publication (as negotiated) (70%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Approval of the project and supervisor by the course coordinator must be confirmed prior to commencing the project.
Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master's degree. The project may take the form of analysis of an existing data set, a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. In some streams, critical care for example, prjects may be available for students to select. It is essential, where there is the use of patient information or recruitment of patient study subjects, that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. The candidate will be guided through the steps required to plan and execute a substantial research project and prepare a scholarly work which may be a paper for publication. Where appropriate students will prepare a work suitable for publication. A candidate must enrol in a minimum of 12 credit points of project units of study in order to submit their final written work.
MEDF5303 Project (Advanced Masters) (Part B)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Students must have a University of Sydney staff member or clinical associate supervising their project. Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Students will be required to have regular contact with their supervisor to discuss the progress of their project Assessment: 2,000 wd written project proposal (30%) and written final work of up to 10,000 wds, or a publication (as negotiated) (70%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
Note: Approval of the project and supervisor by the course coordinator must be confirmed prior to commencing the project.
Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master degree. The project may take the form of anlysis of an existing data set, a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. In some streams, critcal care for example, projects may be available for students to select. It is essential where there is the use of patient information or recruitment of patient study subjects that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. The candidate will be guided through the steps required to plan and execute a substantial research project and prepare a scholarly work which may be a paper for publication. A candidate must enrol in a minimum of 12 credit points of project units of study in order to submit their final written work.
PAIN5002 Pain Mechanisms and Contributors

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Michael Nicholas and Dr Christopher Vaughan Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Online, approximately 10 hours of study per week (equals 140 hours in total) Assessment: participation in online discussion (20%), 4000-5000 word written assignment/s or equivalent (80%) Mode of delivery: Online
To introduce and develop participants understanding about the basic neuroscience of pain and the interrelationship between psychological, physiological and environmental processes in pain. Neuro-anatomical, physiological, pharmacological, and biochemical mechanisms involved in nociception, including peripheral and central sensitisation are discussed. Theoretical bases are introduced and the ways in which psychological and environmental factors modify or maintain pain perception and behaviour are explored.
PAIN5003 Pain Treatment and Management Principles

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Charles Brooker Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Online, approximately 10 hours of study per week (equals 140 hours in total) Assessment: participation in online discussion (20%), 4000-5000 word written assignment/s or equivalent (80%) Mode of delivery: Online
To introduce participants to the core principles of pain assessment, treatment and management. Participants consider the biopsychosocial model and the scientific basis for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They explore principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, together with routes of drug administration. The role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation management, and the use of procedures such as neural blockade, simulation techniques and surgery are also considered.
PAIN5021 Acute Pain

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Philip Corke Session: Semester 1 Classes: Approximately 10 hours of study per week (equals 140 hours in total) Assessment: Participation in online discussion (25%), 4000-5000 written assignment/s or equivalent (75%) Mode of delivery: Online
The aims of this unit are to provide a theoretical framework for the management of acute pain, to examine the specific contributors that are important in the development of acute pain conditions and to examine pharmacological and other approaches used in the management of acute pain. Topics that will be covered will include the principles of pre-emptive analgesia and evidence of effectiveness in preventing pain, pharmacological management of acute pain including approaches such as patient controlled analgesia, adjunctive approaches in managing acute pain and the transition from acute to chronic pain.
PUBH5018 Introductory Biostatistics

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin McGeechan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 x 2hr lecture, 10 x 1hr lectures, 11 x 2hr tutorials, 2 x 1hr and 8 x 0.5hr statistical computing self directed learning tasks over 12 weeks - lectures and tutorials may be completed online Assessment: Weekly quizzes (10%), 1x4 page assignment (20%) and 1x2.5hr open-book exam (70%). For distance students it may be possible to complete the exam externally with the approval of the course coordinator. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day, Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening, Online
This unit aims to provide students with an introduction to statistical concepts, their use and relevance in public health. This unit covers descriptive analyses to summarise and display data; concepts underlying statistical inference; basic statistical methods for the analysis of continuous and binary data; and statistical aspects of study design. Specific topics include: sampling; probability distributions; sampling distribution of the mean; confidence interval and significance tests for one-sample, two paired samples and two independent samples for continuous data and also binary data; correlation and simple linear regression; distribution-free methods for two paired samples, two independent samples and correlation; power and sample size estimation for simple studies; statistical aspects of study design and analysis. Students will be required to perform analyses using a calculator and will also be required to conduct analyses using statistical software (SPSS). It is expected that students spend an additional 2 hours per week preparing for their tutorials. Computing tasks are self-directed.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.