Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

180 hours.

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

Students will continue to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes of physiotherapy professional practice. Clinical reasoning and decision making will be learnt in the context of assessment and management of a variety of clinical conditions. Topics including exercise prescription, manual therapy, electrotherapy, soft tissue mobilising and patient education will be introduced using physiotherapy cases. Students will use evidence based outcome measures to identify short and long term treatment goals. They will review current evidence around physiotherapy interventions and build their understanding of current directions in physiotherapy research. Attention will be given to understanding core physiotherapy principles including health ethics, professional practice, physiotherapy culture, critical reflection and life long learning. Student will have an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in this subject in a clinical setting.

Element1: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

• Integrate prior knowledge of physiotherapy skills to provide a framework for clinical reasoning for the assessment and management of individuals in physiotherapy practice.

• Propose, justify and demonstrate safe and effective physiotherapeutic interventions to address impairments and activity limitations in individuals by applying principles of evidence-based physiotherapy when selecting treatment techniques in clinical practice.

• Modify assessment and treatment and measurement activities to meet specific needs of individual patients, communities and patient populations.

• Identify, interpret and evaluate the various forms of outcomes measures and measurement tools available in physiotherapy practice.

Element 2: Evidence in Physiotherapy

• Interpret results of common physiotherapy screening & diagnostic tests with respect to issues of diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.
• Summarise how research evidence contributes to efficacy in common physiotherapy treatment techniques.

Element 3: Health in Context

• Discuss the ethical use of scientific knowledge in physiotherapy practice.

• Discuss how their clinical decisions affect themselves, their patients, their colleagues and society.

• Online electrotherapy examination: due week 4 (15%).
• Written assignment: 1000 words due mid semester (15%).
• Written theory examination: 2 hours at the end of semester (35%).
• OSCE practical skills assessment: week 10 (35%).

• Electrotherapy Skills Mastery: due week 7 (hurdle requirement).
  
• Practical class attendance, > 95% (hurdle requirement).

None.

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 ability to learn from patients, health professionals and the community in a broad range of settings;
• an understanding of and respect for the rights of patients including patient choice, dignity and privacy;
• the ability to integrate and interpret clinical findings and apply rigorous reasoning to arrive at an apropriate plan of management;
• the ability to perform relevant physiotherapy procedures effectively and safely, with due regards for the patient's comfort.