Program Overview

Program Overview

The program in question appears to be related to physiotherapy, specifically focusing on cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice. It is designed to further prepare students for professional practice in this area.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

The unit aims to equip students with the ability to formulate a problem list for individuals with acute and chronic cardiorespiratory disorders. Students will develop, implement, evaluate, and progress an intervention program that is efficient, effective, culturally responsive, evidence-based, and person-centered.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe and discuss the implications for physiotherapy practice of medical management of the critically ill person.
2. Safely and effectively assess and develop, implement, evaluate, and progress an intervention program for a person within a critical care environment.
3. Safely and effectively assess and develop, implement, evaluate, and progress an intervention program for a person with a chronic cardiorespiratory disorder.

Content

Topics covered include:

• Examination adaptations for subjective and physical examinations.
• The critically ill patient across the lifespan, including investigations, monitoring, airway management, and clinical reasoning.
• Physiotherapy techniques such as airway suction, manual hyperinflation, and the application of non-invasive ventilation.
• Rehabilitation, including the role of the physiotherapist in the multidisciplinary team, cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and outcome measures.

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment tasks are designed to align with the presentation of content and take an authentic approach, allowing students to demonstrate their learning and competency for clinically relevant scenarios. Assessments include vivas and an end-semester written examination.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

This unit involves a combination of face-to-face, online, and other directed independent learning activities. Theoretical knowledge is delivered via lectures and online modules, while practical classes provide opportunities for students to develop assessment and treatment skills through simulation learning activities.

Representative Texts and References

Key texts include "Oh's intensive care manual" by Bersten, A.D., & Handy J.M., "Exercise physiology in special populations" by Buckley, J., and "Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy: Adults and paediatrics" by Main, E., & Denehy, L.

Locations and Credit Points

The program is offered in Ballarat, Brisbane, and North Sydney, and it carries 10 credit points.

Year

The information provided is relevant for the year 2026.