Program Overview

Program Overview

The program "Evolving Physiotherapy Clinical Practice" is a subject that utilizes a problem-based learning pedagogy to develop students' knowledge and skills in physiotherapy practice. This subject further develops students' skills in physiotherapy practice, with an emphasis on orthopaedic physiotherapy practice, and prepares students for the safe and effective use of electro-physical agents in clinical practice.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is one session.

School

This subject is offered by the School of Community Health.

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy and the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• plan and apply a physiotherapy assessment using relevant tests, tools, and outcome measures across selected clinical scenarios in orthopaedics and in the use of electro-physical agents
• use clinical reasoning processes to explore and explain assessment findings
• set goals and plan and apply safe and effective physiotherapy intervention for selected case scenarios in orthopaedics and in the use of electro-physical agents
• demonstrate professional behaviour appropriate to physiotherapy, including critical appraisal and reflection
• describe the concept of strengths-based knowledge and communication, evaluate their communication skills with a particular focus on culturally respectful and responsive communication, and develop strategies for improvement through self-reflection
• examine their own cultural values, and the culture of Physiotherapy, and analyse the impact of these and the broader health system on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service experiences
• research and apply evidence to a physiotherapy scenario and create and share the information in a multimodal digital format

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Clinical reasoning integrating applied anatomy, applied biomechanics, physiology (especially pain), social and psychological factors, and responses to illness and pain, in the management of orthopaedic conditions
• Comprehensive client management approaches for orthopaedic physiotherapy, including inter-professional collaboration, goal setting, and chronic pain management
• Introduction to foundational cardiorespiratory assessment and treatment skills
• Background theory, evidence and practical applications of electro-physical agents as relevant to the practice of orthopaedic physiotherapy
• Rural and Indigenous Australian health issues, with reference to impact of geography, access to services, and culture and personal values on health service delivery
• Ethical and professional practice as relevant to clinical practice including: advocacy for Indigenous Australian peoples; ensuring culturally safe and responsive practice, including cultural humility and the development of respectful relationships; self-assessment of scope of practice and referral of clients to other health professionals as required; and reflection on own practice and development of attributes
• The use of evidence-based practice to support decision making in orthopaedics and use of electro-physical agents
• Communication skills: culturally respectful and responsive communication, communicating with other health professionals, and documenting client notes using accepted procedures and to professional standard
• Digital literacy and capacity to research evidence, including consideration of relevant: search terms, databases/sites, search strategies, type of evidence sought, quality and applicability of findings

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 20 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component. Students will complete a block clinical placement of 4 weeks full time equivalent. The focus of the clinical placement will be enhancing mobility.

Special Resources

Students will undertake a full time clinical placement and will be responsible for associated accommodation and transportation costs.

Availability

This subject is available in Session 2 (60) and is offered on the Albury-Wodonga Campus, Orange Campus, and Port Macquarie Campus. Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details.