Unit Outline

This unit builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in previous foundational units. You will be required to apply principles of practice which are patient-centred, evidence-based, reflective and incorporate interprofessional collaboration. You will be required to synthesise new knowledge of etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical patterns of common neuromusculoskeletal and rheumatologic conditions and develop skills related to the safe and effective examination, assessment and management of these clients. Students will use clinical reasoning strategies to integrate this knowledge and these skills in physiotherapy clinical decision-making, ensuring culturally safe practice, professional interactions and effective communication.

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	Analyse the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and conservative and surgical management of common neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, using an evidence informed framework.
2	Examine and assess common neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunctions using a structured clinical reasoning process to plan and implement physiotherapy interventions.
3	Explain basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in medicines commonly used for neuro-musculoskeletal disorders seen by physiotherapists.
4	Demonstrate performance of effective physiotherapy examination and treatment procedures specific to common neuro-musculoskeletal and rheumatological disorders.
5	Collect, interpret and translate evidence into practice.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA751 Fundamentals of Physiotherapy CXA752 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit is being introduced for the first time, its design has been informed by student’s feedback from relevant units in the previous iteration of the program. As a result, this unit emphasises experiential learning, incorporates a substantial component of synchronous, face-to-face learning opportunities and integrated asynchronous online learning modules. The learning activities apply theoretical frameworks and concepts to musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment and treatment. Additionally, this unit integrates progressive competencies in research literacy, equipping students with the foundational skills necessary to critically engage with and apply research evidence in musculoskeletal 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:	OSCE - Physiotherapy Skill Performance	Refer to Assessment Description	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Oral Presentation: Physiotherapy Management After Trauma and Post-Operative Musculoskeletal Conditions	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Four Quizzes - Neuro-Musculoskeletal Conditions	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Applied Clinical Reasoning and Designing Impairment-Based Physiotherapy Treatment and Interventions	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: OSCE - Physiotherapy Skill Performance

Task Description:

This assessment evaluates your skills and ability to meet the participation requirements for your musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice clinical placement. These requirements are based on professional standards, course accreditation requirements, and the Mandatory Functional Requirements of the College of Health and Medicine.
You must pass this hurdle task to begin your Musculoskeletal PEP.

Task Length:

30 minutes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select and justify appropriate examination and treatment techniques for a condition using clinical reasoning.	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrate effective and safe performance of examination and treatment techniques.	LO4
3	Interpret examination and treatment outcome findings appropriately and reason the progression of treatment.	LO1, LO2
4	Communicate effectively.	LO5

Assessment Task 2: Oral Presentation: Physiotherapy Management After Trauma and Post-Operative Musculoskeletal Conditions

Task Description:

In this presentation, you are tasked with delivering an evidence-informed presentation on a specific traumatic and/or post-operative neuro-musculoskeletal condition.

Your unit coordinator will assign you a specific topic for this presentation. You are required to deliver this presentation and answer questions.

Task Length:

Up to 15 minutes presentation time, and up to 5 minutes QA time (20 min/presentation)

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates understanding of the relevant pathophysiology, clinical features, and investigation findings of a specific traumatic and/or post-operative neuro-musculoskeletal condition.	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrates understanding of the pharmacological and surgical management and associated complications of the given neuro-musculoskeletal conditions.	LO3
3	Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of physiotherapy management for the given condition, with evidence-informed physiotherapy management and multidisciplinary care.	LO1
4	Demonstrate appropriate communication skills in presenting oral information and answering questions.	LO5

Assessment Task 3: Four Quizzes - Neuro-Musculoskeletal Conditions

Task Description:

Four Quizzes – These online multiple-choice quizses assess your knowledge related to applied musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical and radiological presentations, examination procedures, diagnostic criteria, and physiotherapy management of common neuro-musculoskeletal/rheumatological conditions.

Task Length:

30 minutes each quiz

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify features of the neuro-musculoskeletal system structure and function relevant to common neuro-musculoskeletal/rheumatological conditions	LO1, LO2
2	Identify epidemiology, aetiology, clinical/radiological presentations, and conservative/surgical management of common neuro-musculoskeletal/ rheumatological conditions and their implication to physiotherapy practice.	LO1, LO2
3	Identify appropriate interventions for the management of common neuro-musculoskeletal/ rheumatological conditions based on the examination findings, and recognise factors associated with the effectiveness and safety of the intervention.	LO2
4	Demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts of pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, for medicines commonly used for common neuro-musculoskeletal/ rheumatological conditions.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Applied Clinical Reasoning and Designing Impairment-Based Physiotherapy Treatment and Interventions

Task Description:

You are required to employ a systematic clinical reasoning approach to analyse two neuro-musculoskeletal condition case studies and design an impairment-based physiotherapy assessment and intervention with evidence-based justification.

Task Length:

3000 Words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify, describe and justify the differences in clinical presentation associated with the case studies, based on etiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology.	LO1, LO2
2	Identify, describe and justify relevant safety issues including red flags, side effects of the medications, and/or complications of the surgical management.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Interpret the potential underlying mechanisms for the neuro-musculoskeletal impairments using a clinical reasoning approach.	LO2, LO4
4	Describe client-centred and evidence informed practice in selecting appropriate physiotherapy treatment and intervention plan.	LO1, LO2, LO5
5	Present and discuss aspects of the clinical presentation that requires interdisciplinary referrals.	LO1, LO2, LO5

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, and pass any hurdle tasks.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will be able to access the topic-specific reading links embedded into MyLO – this will include mandatory reading to complete related activities on each topic, as well as optional reading lists.