Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE CMT5011

 
TITLE Communication Skills and Collaborative Practice

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Communication Therapy

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit addresses the development and application of optimal communication and organizational skills, while fostering professional collaboration. It encourages students to improve awareness of their personal selves and their relationships with significant others through appraisal of their personal and social skills. It also enhances confidence and competence in addressing audiences. The study-unit advocates a holistic approach to the management of communication disorders, promoting a collaborative family-centred model of service delivery.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to teach students how to enhance their professional effectiveness. It encourages successful and confident communication across various settings and enhances creativity and innovation. It also aims to promote understanding and application of a broader collaborative approach to service delivery.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- appreciate the relevance of effective communication skills to professional practice;
- comprehend the importance of coherence and persuasion in public speaking situations;
- understand how communication disorders fall within an holistic psychosocial framework.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- consistently extend effective interpersonal skills to clients' families and multi-professional team members;
- evaluate the concepts of creativity and innovation;
- show confidence in both impromptu and prepared speeches and participate effectively in meetings;
- turn creative ideas into innovations;
- design intervention frameworks that capitalise on family members as collaborators and agents of change;
- overcome potential assumptions, biases and barriers in communication with other healthcare professionals.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:
Bray, M., Ross, A. & Todd, C. (2006) (2nd ed.) Speech and Language Clinical Process and Practice. London: Whurr.
Bunning, K. (2004). Speech and Language Therapy Intervention: Frameworks and Processes. London: Whurr.
Buzan, T. (1988) Make the Most of your Mind.
Coulter, A., & Ellins, J. (2007). Effectiveness of strategies for informing, educating, and involving patients. British Medical Journal, 335, 24-27.
Dawson, A. (1994) Professional codes of practice and ethical conduct. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 11 (2): 145-153.
de Bono, E. (1971) Lateral Thinking for Management: A Handbook.
Duffy, F.D. (2006) Complexity and Healing Relationships. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21 (S1): 45 – 47.
Fourie, R. J. (ed.) (2011) Therapeutic Processes for Communication Disorders: A guide for clinicians and students. East Sussex: Psychology Press.
Hirschoff , A. (Ed.). (2006). The family as patient care partners: Leveraging family involvement to improve quality, safety,and satisfaction. Washington, DC: The Advisory Board Company.
Johnson, B. H. (1999). Family-centered care: Creating partnerships in health. Group Practice Journal, 48(9), 18-21.
Lumsdaine, E. (1995) Creative Problem Solving: Thinking Skills for a Changing World.

Background Reading:
Carnegie, D., & Hill, N. (2006) Public Speaking & Pleasing Personality. BN Publishing.
Clark, C. (2005) The Deprofessionalisation Thesis, Accountability and Professional Character. Social Work and Society, 3(2): 182-195.
Conte, J.M. (2005) A review and critique of emotional intelligence measures. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26: 411 – 421.
Humphris, D. and Masterson, T. (2000) Developing New Clinical Roles. London: Churchill Livingstone.
Sunderland, M. and Engleheart, P. (2002) Draw On Your Emotions: Creative ways to explore, express and understand important feelings. Bicester: Speechmark Publishing Ltd.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study and Group Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (20 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 25%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 75%

 
LECTURER/S Joseph G. Agius
May Agius
Rachael Agius
Daniela R. Gatt
Ritienne Grima
Rita Micallef

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit