Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

180 hours.

None.

This subject will apply a problem based approach to describe the physiotherapy management of individuals with acute and chronic cardiorespiratory conditions. Students will integrate prior knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology with theoretical and evidence based knowledge to generate an effective and comprehensive physiotherapy management plan. A variety of teaching methods will be employed to develop students’ skills in the assessment and diagnosis of cardiorespiratory problems. A range of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy interventions will be introduced and students will be trained in the appropriate execution of these techniques and relevant outcome measures to evaluate their efficacy. Consideration will also be given to the rights of individuals and the impact of team management processes in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice.

Element 1: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

• Apply knowledge of pathophysiology and anatomy to justify the choice of assessment techniques and generate an appropriate physiotherapy management plan for patients with cardiorespiratory problems.
• Propose, justify and demonstrate safe and effective physiotherapy interventions to manage individuals with cardiorespiratory problems.
• Evaluate and analyse current research knowledge in the selection and justification of assessment techniques, clinical reasoning and management of patients with cardiorespiratory problems.
• Demonstrate professional attributes including good communication, active engagement through questioning and seeking information.

Element 2: Evidence in Physiotherapy

• Integrate physiotherapy assessment findings to estimate risk of pulmonary complications following major surgery.
• Differentiate between incidence and prevalence of common acute and chronic cardiorespiratory conditions.

Element 3: Health in Context

• Identify the factors that may impact on an individual’s perception of participation restriction, activity limitations and impairment in the area of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice.
• Discuss the role of the physiotherapist and other multidisciplinary team members in working with individuals with cardiorespiratory conditions.

• Group assignment : Development of an electronic resource package to summarise current evidence related to the management of a cardiorespiratory problem mid-semester (15%).
• 2-hour written examination: at the end of semester (50%).
• Practical skills examination: at end of semester (35%).
• Satisfactory completion of mastery of clinical competency.

Pryor JA and Prasad SA (2008): Physiotherapy for respiratory and Cardiac Problems. 4 th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

By the completion of this subject, students will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:

• The application of new research data to problem-solve in clinical cases;

• Clinical reasoning and decision making as applied to practice;

• Communication skills with an awareness of how these may affect their interactions.