Communication with People, Families and Communities

Unit code: HHB3005 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
192 credit points from HCSP
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
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Overview

In this unit students will engage with evidence-informed models of communication to understand health literacy, shared decision-making, advocacy, and help-seeking behaviours. The unit explicitly positions the “client” as an individual, a family unit, or a community, preparing students to work ethically and collaboratively in diverse practice settings. Students will apply consultation and engagement approaches (e.g., clinical interviewing, family-centred communication, and community engagement/empowerment) and use digital communication tools (telehealth, multimedia education) to support equitable access and outcomes. Through case-based learning, simulation, and authentic engagement activities, students will integrate communication theory with practical strategies to foster understanding of social determinants of health and working with diverse populations and clients with complex needs.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Integrate consultation and community engagement principles to plan and evaluate a communication activity with a community group, demonstrating partnership-building, inclusion, and ethical practice;
  2. Design and deliver advocacy-focused communication that supports help-seeking behaviours and helps empower clients (individuals, families, communities) to access appropriate services and resources;
  3. Exemplify skills in using digital communication tools effectively to engage clients, improve understanding, and support continuity of care;
  4. Critically reflect on the responsibilities and identity of a speech pathologist within a socio-ecological system; and
  5. Exhibit skills in working independently and collaboratively to analyse communication scenarios, apply theoretical knowledge, and communicate findings in a structured and professional format.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Case Study
|
Grade: 20%
In-class, invigilated analysis of clinical scenarios and strategy proposal (1 hour)
Assessment type: Creative Works
|
Grade: 30%
Plain-language digital resource to support health literacy for a specific client group (2000 words equivalent including images)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 50%
Plan, undertake and evaluate a communication activity for a community group (15 mins) and written plan (1000 words)

Case Study: Analysis of clinical scenarios including identification of communication challenges related to health literacy and cultural responsiveness and proposal of strategies for shared decision making and advocacy.

Presentation: In a group, students will undertake and evaluate a communication activity for a community group (presentation 15 mins, including individual Q &A). Individual Q&A and submission of a written plan (1000 words) will help ensure secure assessment of each student’s achievement of learning outcomes.

Required reading

Readings will be available on VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Speech and Language Sciences/Master of Speech Pathology
HCSP | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4.5 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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