爆料王

Unit outline_

BBHE1007: Advanced Social Skills and Cultural Safety

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Building on the foundational skills developed in BBHE1002, this unit delves deeper into the interpersonal and professional dimensions of healthcare. The focus is on cultivating cultural competence, fostering collaborative teamwork, and enhancing self-reflection to understand how patients navigate the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Students will learn to address health disparities and deliver patient-centred care by respecting diverse cultural perspectives, recognising varying levels of health literacy in the community and taking a strength-based perspective for Indigenous Health. Students will strengthen their ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, resolve team conflicts, and continuously evolve as empathetic healthcare professionals. By the end of this unit, students will be equipped with advanced skills in cultural awareness, teamwork, and professional development, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to diverse and dynamic healthcare settings.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
BBHE1002
Corequisites
? 
BBHE1005
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jacinta Mackay, jacinta.mackay@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Oral exam hurdle task Oral Exam
A complex case scenario with a focus on Indigenous Health. 5 mins prep- 10 mins oral exam.
0% Formal exam period 15 minutes (oral) AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Out-of-class quiz Early Feedback Task Out of Class Quiz: Early Feedback Task
Online quiz to test your understanding of the material covered in the first 2 weeks.
0% Week 03
Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59

Closing date: 13 Sep 2026
20 minutes AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Written work group assignment Group written work contract
Group task to create a written work contract.
0% Week 04
Due date: 30 Aug 2026 at 23:59
1000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
Group presentation. This assessment will be integrated with BBHE1005.
0% Week 11
Due date: 19 Oct 2026 at 09:00
15 minute group presentation AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Written work group assignment Group Report
Group report. This assessment will be integrated with BBHE1005.
0% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59
2000 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
early feedback task = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessments in this unit are designed to scaffold learning, providing valuable feedback in earlier tasks to support completion of later tasks.

Out of class quiz: Students complete an individual online quiz designed as an early feedback task to test understanding of the material covered in the first two weeks of the unit. The quiz is completed outside of class, takes approximately 20 minutes, and is scheduled for Week 3. This is a formative assessment, carries a weighting of 0%, and provides students with feedback on their progress against Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.

Group written work contract: Working in groups, students develop a written team contract outlining how they will work together across group-based assessments. The contract clarifies expectations relating to roles and responsibilities, timelines, communication methods, meeting arrangements, decision-making processes, and standards for participation and professionalism. This task is completed in Week 4, is 1000 words, and serves as a formative early feedback activity assessing Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Group presentation: As part of a shared work with BBHE1005, students work collaboratively to deliver a group presentation reporting on the historical background underpinning health challenges that have led to innovation,聽addressing health equity and cultural safety as a key component throughout the聽presentation. Each group member contributes part of a shared 15鈥憁inute presentation delivered in week 11. This summative, pass/fail assessment aligns with Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Group written report: As part of a shared group report with BBHE1005, students prepare a 2000鈥憌ord report analysing the innovation and then critically reviewing key challenges the innovation faces and potential solutions to these challenges. This summative group assessment is due in Week 13, is graded on a pass/fail basis, and assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Final exam 鈥� oral assessment: The final assessment is a secured, in鈥憄erson interactive oral exam conducted during the final examination period and is a hurdle requirement for the unit. In this 10鈥憁inute viva-style assessment, students respond to a complex clinical case scenario with a focus on Indigenous health, demonstrating clinical reasoning and communication skills. This summative assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis and assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5, and 6.

The summative assessments in this unit are: i) group presentation, ii)聽group report, and (iv) the final oral exam.听All summative assessments in this unit are pass/fail. To pass this unit, students are required to i) pass the final exam, and (ii) fail no more than one of the other summative assessments. Students who fail any summative assessment will be given one opportunity for remediation and re-assessment for that specific assessment.

Detailed instructions for each task can be found on Canvas and discussed further within tutorial classes.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the聽聽(Schedule 1).听

Result name聽

Mark range聽

顿别蝉肠谤颈辫迟颈辞苍听

Satisfied requirements鈥�

50 - 100聽

The learning outcomes of the unit of study鈥痟ave been met to a satisfactory standard.鈥�

Failed requirements聽

0 - 49聽

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.听

This unit contains the following paired assessment (s):听

BBHE1005 / 1007 - Group presentation (Week 11)

BBHE1005 / 1007 - Group report (Week 13)

Marking of paired assessment(s) will be as follows:鈥�

Assessment of learning outcomes from one unit will be awarded only to that unit using鈥痑n appropriate rubric.鈥�

Assessment of learning outcomes in both units will be awarded to both units using鈥痑n appropriate rubric.听

Assessment of learning outcomes in鈥痝rade-only units (i.e. BBHE1007), will be assessed against meeting the required competency level using鈥痑n appropriate rubric.鈥���

For more information see聽guide to grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the聽Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties (grade-only unit): On-time submission of assessments and meeting deadlines is a key aspect of professionalism in the healthcare sector. Assessments submitted late without permission (see Special Considerations: http://sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration-and-arrangements.html) will incur a late penalty applied to the marking of your assessment. The late penalty will be applied within the 鈥榩rofessionalism鈥� category of the rubric, where professionalism is graded 鈥榟ighly satisfactory鈥�, 鈥榮atisfactory鈥�, 鈥榩oor鈥� or 鈥榰nsatisfactory鈥�, or 鈥榓utomatic fail鈥�. Assessments submitted 0-5 calendar days late will automatically incur a 鈥榩oor鈥� grade for professionalism, and assessments submitted 6-10 calendar days late will incur an 鈥榰nsatisfactory鈥� grade. Performance within the other assessment categories will determine if the late penalties for 0-5 and 6-10 days late result in an overall fail grade for the assessment. If the assessment is more than 10 calendar days late, it will incur the 鈥榓utomatic fail鈥� grade for professionalism, and the overall assessment will be failed

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website聽provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the聽Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)聽which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽details on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a聽simple extension.鈥� The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can鈥檛 complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for聽special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,聽聽includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy聽reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 4x online lecturettes: Introduction to health communication; overview of cultural awareness in health. Where do you come from? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 4x online lecturettes: First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 03 4x online lecturettes: Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 4x online lecturettes: Partnership with Indigenous health organisations (ACCHOs), professionals, & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Partnership with Indigenous health organizations (ACCHOs), professionals & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Partnership with Indigenous health organizations (ACCHOs), professionals & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 4x online lecturettes: Cultural sensitivity and communication skills Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Cultural sensitivity and communication skills Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Cultural sensitivity and communication skills Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 4x online lecturettes: Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality. Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality. Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 07 4x online lecturettes: Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups. Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO6
Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups. Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO6
Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups. Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 08 4x online lecturettes: Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety Lecture (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 09 4x online lecturettes: Defining and applying cultural safety in practice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 10 4x online lecturettes: Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios Tutorial (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 4x online lecturettes: First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches. Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches. Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 12 4x online lecturettes: Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 13 4x online lecturettes: Integrating all learning: culturally safe, ethical, team-focused practice, assignment prep Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Participation:听Each week this unit聽consists of聽two聽face-to-face classes,聽a 1hr聽tutorial and a 2hr聽workshop/practical.听

Participation in these face-to-face classes is聽compulsory, and a requirement to successfully complete the聽UoS. Students are expected to attend聽a minimum of聽80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline.听

Before attending聽the tutorial聽and聽workshop/practical class, students鈥痵hould watch the accompanying lecturettes and聽complete any聽accompanying聽formative quizzes.听聽

The 爆料王 Coursework Policy 2021 states:鈥�
68 (2) A student enrolled in a unit of study must comply with the requirements set out in the faculty resolutions, award course resolutions or unit of study outline about undertaking the unit of study, including on matters such as: (a) attendance at and participation in lectures, seminars and tutorials; and (b) participation in practical work.听

68 (3) A program director may specify the circumstances under which a student who does not satisfy attendance and participation requirements may be聽deemed聽not to have completed a unit of study or award course.听

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate skills in cultural safety and effective communication of health-related content to a range of audiences in health, including First Nations communities, people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with varying levels of health literacy.
  • LO2. Demonstrate how fostering trust, empathy, and rapport with colleagues, patients and their families/support networks are essential for improving health outcomes.
  • LO3. Demonstrate effective teamwork to address complex issues in biomedical science and patient care.
  • LO4. Recognise and describe the importance of a diverse and interdisciplinary team to effectively work through and solve complex biomedical and clinical scenarios.
  • LO5. Exhibit confidence in recognising the meaning of resilience for First Nations people, the cultural safety, cultural knowledge and community-driven approaches that contribute to improved health outcomes and equity for our First Nations communities.
  • LO6. Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in the context of clinical practice, research, use of digital technologies, and decision making.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one鈥檚 personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Passing the unit (Grade-only unit):听听听

To pass this unit of study, students must:鈥�

  1. Pass all hurdle tasks鈥�
  2. Fail no more than one of the remaining non-hurdle summative assessments.鈥�

Remediation and reassessment鈥�(Grade-only unit):听

Students who fail a hurdle task, or their second non-hurdle summative assessment, will be given one opportunity for remediation and reassessment for that specific task.鈥�

This includes receiving detailed feedback on the original failed assessment and additional teaching support comprising either: (i) an extra 1 hr tutorial or (ii) a 15-minute meeting with a member of academic staff. This opportunity will be provided within 10 days of the outcome of the original assessment being released, and whilst it will assess the same learning objectives, it could take a different format.听聽

The one remediation and reassessment opportunity is in addition to any reassessment due to a successful application for special consideration. If a student is unable to attend the scheduled remediation reassessment opportunity, they may apply for special considerations as per the 爆料王聽.听

Formative assessment:听

  • Definition: Assessments that do not contribute to passing the unit or the final grade/mark聽聽
  • Purpose: To guide instruction, provide timely feedback, and help students improve.听
  • Timing: Ongoing, frequent, during the learning process.听
  • Stakes: Low-stakes or ungraded.听
  • Feedback: Detailed, developmental, and immediate.听
  • Examples: weekly practice quizzes, in-class questions and worksheets.听聽

Summative assessment:听聽

  • Definition: Assessments that do contribute to passing the unit or the final grade/mark聽聽
  • Purpose: To evaluate overall learning, measure achievement, and determine competency.听
  • Timing: Mid-semester test (e.g. week 7/8), towards the end of the unit, exam period.听
  • Stakes: High-stakes, graded, affects advancement.听
  • Feedback: Final, evaluative (e.g., score, grade).听
  • Examples: In semester tests, interactive oral exam, written exam.听

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .