POPLPRAC 708A/B : Assessment and Intervention with Addiction

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Develops understanding and competency in assessment and intervention work with clients having co-existing problems, specifically those most affected by alcohol and drug issues. It focuses on comprehensive assessment, effective clinical interventions, drug-specific interventions and culturally-specific approaches working with individuals, whānau, and communities. It will involve regular review of practice using case-based scenarios filmed with feedback from tutors, mentors and peers.

Course Overview

To complete this course students must enrol in POPLPRAC 708 A and B

Students in this practice–based course must be currently working with alcohol/drug affected clients.  It is a core course for the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Health Sciences specialising in Alcohol and Drug Studies or a Master in Health Practice specialising in Addiction Studies. Places in this course are limited with preference given to students admitted to these programmes. Students from other programmes may be enrolled on the basis of academic merit as measured by GPA, subject to places being available. 

Course Requirements

Corequisite: POPLHLTH 737, POPLPRAC 707 To complete this course students must enrol in POPLPRAC 708 A and B

Course Contacts

Course Director
Assoc. Prof. David Newcombe
Head of Department
Email: d.newcombe@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0) 9 923 6557

Course Coordinator
Carina Walters
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: cj.walters@auckland.ac.nz

Course Administrator
Jessica Buxton
Group Services Administrator 
Email: jessica.buxton@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 (0)  9 373 7599 ext 89015

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Practice

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Conduct and report a comprehensive alcohol and drug assessment (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 8.1 and 8.2)
  2. Demonstrate a detailed understanding in course work of a range of intervention strategies for addressing alcohol and drug problems (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  3. Put together an intervention plan based on the comprehension of an assessment (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  4. Work effectively with complex problems associated with specific drugs of dependence (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  5. Incorporate family, community, and cultural perspectives into work with clients (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  6. Demonstrate the ability to work with people affected by both mental health and addiction problems and to use evidence in formulating clinical decisions that will lead to improvements in their wellbeing. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2)
  7. Have emerging knowledge of DSM-V diagnosis and familiarity with its use in addiction and mental health settings (Capability 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
DSM Workbook Individual Coursework
Psychopharmacology Workbook Individual Coursework
Assessment Report 10% Individual Coursework
Intervention Plan 10% Individual Coursework
Filmed assignment 10% Individual Coursework
Case Study 20% Individual Coursework
Final assessment series 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
DSM Workbook
Psychopharmacology Workbook
Assessment Report
Intervention Plan
Filmed assignment
Case Study
Final assessment series

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week for each of the 24 weeks of the 2 semesters. Make sure you spend at least 2 to 3 hours for preparation before each face to face lecture day.

Of the total 240 hours, 54 hours are spent on attending lectures and the rest will be for reading, preparing for assignments and the final oral exam. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including simulated clinical scenarios  to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars, workshops and tutorials may also be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the final exam series. 
The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

This 30 point course is taught over Semester 1 and Semester 2. The course will consist of 48 contact hours (9 days on campus). Contact hours will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers who are experts in their field, workshops, and discussion sessions. Teaching days will also include simulated and filmed clinical scenarios with an actor, followed by small group teaching feedback sessions. Students are provided with three workbooks (one focused on psychopharmacology, one on the DSM-V, and the third one on the assessment process). Students are also provided with a reading list of resources required and recommended readings for each teaching day.  All students participating in this course are entitled to an individual mentor, a highly qualified and experienced AOD professional who will support them in their course work. The teaching team will also support students throughout the course, and students are encouraged to contact the teaching team.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

SkillsMatter provides funding for a limited number of students undertaking the three core courses towards assessment and management of co-existing substance use and mental health. This is one of the courses included in that. The students do have to meet certain eligibility criteria - for more information you can check this link- https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/assessment-and-management-of-co-existing-substance-use-and-mental-health/51.  All eligible students are considered for this funding at the beginning of each Year - funding for eligible students is offered on the basis of the date of application to the University. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.