Lifespan and Chronic Disease Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

250 hrs

Students will need to allow time for self-directed learning (SDL) in preparation for clinical practice and tutorials

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 focus of this subject will be complemented by practical clinical opportunities that serve to consolidate students’ theoretical understanding of physiotherapy across the lifespan and chronic disease management.Students will rotate between the three areas of clinical practice including paediatrics, aged care/rehabilitation and chronic disease management.Students will undergo their clinical experience for 3 week placements in a supervised environment.The Chronic Disease Management Clinic will highlight opportunities for interdisciplinary practice especially in the areas of health promotion.

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

Element 1: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

• Safely and competently assess patients with complex care needs across the lifespan.
• Compare and synthesize practical approaches and models of care in the management of patients across the lifespan and chronic disease in acute and primary health care settings in different health populations
• Case manage patients with chronic disease and engage with multidisciplinary teams to facilitate and implement discharge planning, appropriate referrals and care plans for patients.
• Apply principles of health promotion as appropriate within the practice context

Element 2: Research and Evidence

• Integrate key areas of evidence to models of assessment, clinical reasoning, treatment and management of acute and chronic illness and disease across the life span.
• Justify physiotherapy treatment techniques based upon the findings of individual patient assessment and relevant clinical research in paediatrics, aged care and chronic disease

Element 3: Healthcare context

• Consistently demonstrate the integration of prior theoretical knowledge(paediatric, aged care, chronic disease conditions, evidence-based physiotherapy practice, and healthcare in context) when engaging in patient centred education and advocacy
• Accommodate the cognitive, linguistic and cultural needs of the patient and their family/carers when dealing with complex health decisions, while operating within the constraints of the healthcare context.

Continuous Clinical Assessment x 2 (Paediatrics and Aged Care) (25% each = 50%) throughout 3 week clinical unit

10 minute Case or Topic Presentation x 2 (Paediatrics and Aged Care) (10% each = 20%) final week of clinical unit

2000 word Health Promotion project (30%) final week of semester

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:

• Recognizing and managing emotions in self and others
• Maintaining physical, emotional, social and spiritual health and recognizing the importance of professional support in this process
• Applying principles of rehabilitation in the amelioration of suffering from acute or chronic disability
• Respecting the roles and expertise of other healthcare professionals and communicating effectively with them