Professional Development Elective

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The 'professional development portfolio' is directed towards building specialised knowledge, skills and experience in an area of practice that will complement a student's existing and developing expertise. It requires the student, in conjunction with the portfolio subject coordinator, to organise a professional (clinical or non-clinical) placement that will meet the objectives and learning outcomes set out in the learning contract form. Professional development placements may include observational clinical placements, public policy development placement, physiotherapy in corporate situations or coursework subjects in leadership and/or marketing. Each student will devise their elective project in conjunction with the subject coordinator prio to the beginning of semester.

This subject aims to provide:

• Enhanced knowledge and a broader perspective of physiotherapy practice

• An appreciation of the role of multi-disciplinary professionals in patient care.

• An ability to reflect on physiotherapy practice and its position in the wider community

A piece of written work of 5,000 words that is informed by the professional development placement or area of interest. This work may comprise an essay that details how physiotherapy might expand into a non-clinical area of practice or how a subject area such as health care management; leadership; marketing or other non-clinical topic might be incorporated into physiotherapy practice, due end of semester (80%)

One of the following, due end of semester, (20%)

• A case presentation related to the professional development placement; or
• A set of practice guidelines or information booklet designed for professional/public market about the chosen professional development elective topic area (1,000 words)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will have developed the following generic skills:

• Abilities in goal setting, self-evaluation, and reflective practice
• Enhanced their leadership skills
• An increased willingness to explore new ideas and value the creation of new knowledge and transfer this knowledge into their clinical practice
• A capacity for self-directed learning and the motivation for life-long independent learning
• Enhanced knowledge and a broader perspective of physiotherapy practice
• An appreciation of the role of multi-disciplinary professionals in patient care
• Ability to reflect on physiotherapy practice and its position in the wider community