Neurological Clinical Practice

This subject is not offered in 2014.

180

Students will need to allow time for self-directed learning in preparation for clinics practice and tutorials

Year 1 subjects in DPT program

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

This subject will be conducted predominantly in the clinical setting and will provide students with an opportunity to develop their clinical skills and to integrate their theoretical knowledge in neurological physiotherapy clinical practice. The emphasis in this subject is the application of clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice in the safe and effective assessment and management of individuals with neurological conditions in the clinical setting. This will apply in, communication, therapeutic interventions, advocacy and education working as a health professional within a team, with individuals and their carers, respecting their rights and choices within the healthcare setting.
For further information on clinical placement location, see attached list ‘The University of Melbourne, Physiotherapy clinical placement locations’.

The curriculum for the DPT program has been designed around 8 Learning Outcomes under 3 elements.

Element 1: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1

• To integrate prior knowledge of neuroscience, common neurological conditions and the framework for clinical reasoning to the assessment and management of individuals with neurological conditions
• To implement the theoretical framework for clinical reasoning in neurological rehabilitation in selecting `appropriate assessments, problems, goals and approaches to treatment in the clinical setting.
• To safely and effectively apply and interpret neurologic assessment techniques, including observational movement analysis, objective measures of impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.
• To select, justify and demonstrate safe and effective manual handling and physiotherapeutic interventions to address impairments and activity limitations in individuals with neurological conditions.

Element 2: Research and Evidence

• Justify neurological physiotherapy assessment treatment choices based upon the findings of relevant published literature.
• Develop neurological physiotherapy practice knowledge that will contribute to personal capacity to practice evidence-based physiotherapy for patients with neurological conditions

Element 3: Healthcare context

• To integrate prior knowledge of the neurological conditions, evidence-based physiotherapy practice, and information specific to the individual, to effectively engage in patient education and advocacy.
• To articulate the role of the physiotherapist within the multidisciplinary team and to demonstrate the capacity to work effectively within the team in a clinical setting.

Continuous clinical assessment (60%) during 5 week clinical placement

Clinical case presentation (10%) final week of the 5 week clinical

2-hour written Theory examination (30%) Exam week at end of semester

Students must receive a passing mark (≥50%) for both clinical (70%) and theoretical (30%) components of the assessment in order to pass the subject

Carr J, Shepherd R (2010). Neurological Rehabilitation: Optimizing Motor Performance. China: Churchill Livingstone

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will have had the opportunity to develop the skills associated with:

• Responding constructively to appraisal, performance review of assessment feedback
• Recognising personal, spiritual, cultural or religious beliefs and an awareness that these beliefs must not prevent the provision of adequate and appropriate care to the patient
• Accessing new knowledge from all sources, to analyse and interpret it in a critical manner, and to apply it appropriately in the provision of healthcare
• Understanding and respecting the rights of patients including patient choice, dignity and privacy