Unit Outline

This unit provides the fundamental concepts that will underpin the teaching for the remainder of the physiotherapy -discipline specific unit content across the areas of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy.

You will learn about an overview of the physiotherapy profession, the key approaches to the physiotherapeutic management of the client within a client-centred care approach. The unit covers some of the key concepts in contemporary physiotherapy practice, such as clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice and how they are integrated in clinical practice.

The unit also covers the link between anatomy/pathophysiology and the clinical presentations seen across a range of physiotherapy areas including musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic and neurological physiotherapy to provide the student the theoretical knowledge to underpin the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of clinical conditions seen by physiotherapists. This is achieved through exploring the different therapeutic approaches used in current clinical practice including exercises, passive manual techniques, electrophysical, pharmacology, and functional rehab. This unit will build on the student’s knowledge of anatomy and physiology and explore how this knowledge is applied to clinical practice with a strong focus on linking structure to function.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Describe the physiotherapy profession practice and different models of care.
2	Review the strengths and weaknesses of different clinical reasoning models and the role of critical thinking skills in person-centred care.
3	Critically review the evidence-based practice process and how it integrates with clinical reasoning.
4	Conceptually map foundational anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological knowledge relevant to musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological clinical presentations.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Although this unit is being introduced for the first time, its design has been informed by student feedback from relevant units in the previous curriculum. As per student feedback this unit incorporates a substantial component of synchronous, face-to-face learning opportunities, strategically integrated with asynchronous online learning modules; and included with learning activities to bridge fundamental human anatomy and physiological knowledge to pathophysiological processes, with an aim to establish robust theoretical framework that underpin physiotherapy practice across all core domains. Additionally, the unit introduces and cultivates essential competencies in research literacy, equipping students with the foundational skills necessary to critically engage with and apply research evidence in physiotherapy practice.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Quiz	See the MyLO site for the due date	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Clinical pattern notebook	See the MyLO site for the due date	25 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Critical review paper	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quiz

Task Description:

These two quizzes will assess a) knowledge related to the models of health care delivery and clinical reasoning and b) anatomy and pathophysiology related common conditions and normal development.

Task Length:

2 x 30 minute quizzes

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify key features, strengths and weaknesses of the different health care models and approaches to clinical reasoning.	LO1, LO2
2	Identify key features and clinical indications of the different management approaches used in physiotherapy.	LO3
3	Apply anatomy and pathophysiology knowledge in the clinical assessment process.	LO4
4	Identify the key developmental markers for normal development.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Clinical pattern notebook

Task Description:

This task involves you presenting a clinical pattern notebook that presents the most common clinical presentation for 6 clinical conditions and two comparative patterns. These 6 clinical conditions will cover musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic and neurological conditions. The comparative patterns will present the differentiating clinical features between two conditions. You will be allocated clinical conditions prior to commencing the assessment item.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding of the key relevant clinical indicators for each condition.	LO3, LO4
2	Distinguish key differentiating clinical features between the comparative clinical conditions and describe the underlying pathophysiology for the differences.	LO3, LO4
3	Transform evidence into a clinical pattern format that has clinical utility.	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Critical review paper

Task Description:

The assessment task requires you to critically review the evidence associated with one outcome measure/diagnostic test and describe how the results from the outcome measure/diagnostic test will influence clinical judgement. You will be allocated an outcome measure/diagnostic test prior to commencing the assessment item.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate use of evidence based Practice principles/skills for evidence retrieval, critical analysis and synthesis of the evidence.	LO3
2	Demonstrate ability to integrate the evidence into clinical practice using clinical reasoning process.	LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.