| CODE | CSD4001 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Client Presentation 2 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| EQF/MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Human Communication Sciences and Disorders | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The presented client session, conducted at the Speech and Language Clinic within the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate advanced clinical and reflective competencies. Students are required to plan and deliver a well-structured session that is relevant to the client’s communication needs, drawing on appropriate theoretical frameworks and evidence-based practice. A comprehensive session plan, including clear aims, objectives, and supporting rationales with references, should be submitted to the assessors immediately prior to the session. Following the clinical session, students will participate in a viva voce examination with two assessors. During this examination, students are expected to provide a critical evaluation of the session, discussing their clinical reasoning, choice of materials and techniques, and responsiveness to the client’s communication profile. The viva also includes questions related to both the unseen client (Client Presentation 2) and Case File 2, allowing students to integrate their understanding of assessment, intervention planning, and reflective practice across different client contexts. This study-unit serves as a capstone experience, assessing the student’s ability to apply theoretical knowledge, professional judgement, and clinical skills autonomously and holistically in preparation for entry into the profession. Study-Unit Aims: Students are expected to integrate and apply the theoretical understanding, knowledge, and clinical skills acquired throughout their four years of studies by independently planning, conducting, and evaluating a clinical session with an unseen client (i.e., a client they have not previously encountered during supervised clinical placements). The study-unit aims to consolidate students’ professional competence through the demonstration of advanced clinical reasoning, decision-making, and reflective practice. It also seeks to enhance their ability to translate theoretical frameworks into evidence-based intervention, adapt flexibly to client needs in real-time, and communicate clinical insights effectively during a viva voce examination. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Prepare a comprehensive and structured session plan that demonstrates strong theoretical and evidence-based foundations, informed by analysis of the client’s communication profile, strengths, and areas of need; - Justify the selection of assessment and intervention approaches using relevant research and professional frameworks; - Critically discuss and evaluate session outcomes, drawing connections between theory, practice, and clinical reflection; - Demonstrate awareness of ethical, professional, and contextual considerations influencing clinical decision-making. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Plan, implement, and manage an effective and client-centred therapy session with an unseen client, demonstrating clinical flexibility, interpersonal sensitivity, and professional conduct; - Adapt intervention strategies dynamically in response to the client’s communication needs and engagement during the session; - Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the session, including the suitability of methods used, therapeutic interaction, and achievement of session objectives; - Critically appraise their own clinical performance and identify implications for ongoing management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and potential referral pathways; - Communicate clinical reasoning and evaluative reflections clearly and professionally during the viva voce examination. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Varies depending on the communication needs that the specific client may present. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Placement and Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Rachael Agius Daniela R. Gatt Helen Grech Ritienne Grima Nadine Tabone |
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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 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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