Program Overview

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Macquarie University

CHIR8101 Clinical Chiropractic 1

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff: Christopher Burrell
• Credit points: 10
• Prerequisites: Admission to MChiroprac and (CHIR3106 or CHIR316) or ((CHIR6110 or CHIR602) and (CHIR6111 or CHIR603))
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged status: None
• Unit description: This unit provides a thorough coverage of manual therapy techniques, including spinal and extremity joint manipulative procedures. Students will further develop physical assessment procedures such as static and motion palpation from previous units. The unit focuses on Diversified chiropractic techniques applied to the spine and extremities. By the completion of this unit, students will be well-grounded in a range of spinal and extremity manipulative techniques. Evidence-based practice (EBP) and clinical chiropractic application will be developed in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Perform clinical assessment of the musculoskeletal system to identify indications and contraindications for manual therapy, including manipulation and mobilisation of the spine and extremities.
• Perform manual therapy techniques, including manipulation and mobilisation of the spine and extremities, using a patient-centered approach to care.
• Demonstrate and discuss appropriate application of and modifications to manual therapy techniques in relation to different patient and case presentations.
• Apply knowledge of biomechanics, pathomechanics, and pathophysiology in a clinical context to inform patient management within an evidenced-based framework.
• Communicate clinical assessment findings and clinical management to a range of audiences within an evidence-based framework.

General Assessment Information

• Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
• All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
• To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Assessment Tasks

• Feedback on Chiropractic Application (FoCA): 20%, No hurdle, Due: Week 7
• Mastery register: 0%, Hurdle, Due: Week 10
• Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): 40%, No hurdle, Due: Week 12
• End of semester written examination: 40%, No hurdle, Due: Exam Period

Feedback on Chiropractic Application (FoCA)

• Assessment Type: Clinical performance evaluation
• Indicative Time on Task: 5 hours
• Due: Week 7
• Weighting: 20%
• Description: Students will perform a chiropractic practical exam within normal tutorial time. Immediately afterward, students will be given feedback on their performance.

Mastery register

• Assessment Type: Clinical performance evaluation
• Indicative Time on Task: 5 hours
• Due: Week 10
• Weighting: 0%
• Description: The Mastery Register for CHIR8101 is a list of key skills in which competence is considered to be a requirement for the assurance of quality chiropractic practice for registration. Students must demonstrate a minimum level of competence in these skills in order to successfully complete the unit.

Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE)

• Assessment Type: Clinical performance evaluation
• Indicative Time on Task: 10 hours
• Due: Week 12
• Weighting: 40%
• Description: Students will perform a practical exam over a number of stations during the end of semester practical examination period.

End of semester written examination

• Assessment Type: Examination
• Indicative Time on Task: 10 hours
• Due: Exam Period
• Weighting: 40%
• Description: The end of semester written exam will assess all the material covered in the unit.

Delivery and Resources

• As a student enrolled in this unit, students will engage in a range of learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos, face-to-face technique tutorials, and lectures.
• Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
• Classes:
  • The timetable for classes can be found on the University website.
  • As this is a technique unit, it is vital to maintain student:tutor ratios. Students MUST attend their allocated tutorial time.
  • Tutorials begin on Monday of Week 2.
  • Tutorial attendance/participation is necessary to fulfill the learning objectives of this unit. 80% attendance is the minimum acceptable standard to ensure safe participation in practical assessments.
  • 3 x 100-minute tutorials per week (2-hour time slot, minus time for lab cleaning and class changeover) Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.
  • 2 x 1-hour lectures per week in a mix of pre-recorded lectures and live lectures delivered in the theatre.

Unit Schedule

• See iLearn page for detailed unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

• Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central.
• Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
  • Academic Appeals Policy
  • Academic Integrity Policy
  • Academic Progression Policy
  • Assessment Policy
  • Fitness to Practice Procedure
  • Assessment Procedure
  • Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
  • Special Consideration Policy

Changes from Previous Offering

• Assessment tasks have changed to reflect changes in the University Assessment Policy.

Inclusion and Diversity

• Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life, and flourish in their chosen field.
• The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse, and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students.
• It is the responsibility of students to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery.
• As a member of the Macquarie University community, students must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction, or religious belief.
• All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behavior that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

• In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all courses.
• As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions, including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities.
• Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however, students are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur.
• As an adult learner, the University respects students' decisions to choose how they engage with their learning, but reminds them that the learning opportunities created for them have been done so to enable their success, and that by not engaging, they may impact their ability to successfully complete this unit.
• The University equally expects that students show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritize their learning by communicating with them in advance if they are unable to attend a small group interactive session.
• Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction.
• Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if unavoidably detained, please join the activity as quietly as possible to minimize disruption.
• Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class.
• Where students' own devices (e.g., laptops) are being used for class-related activities, they are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to themselves and others.
• Please treat fellow students with the utmost respect. If uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.