Unit rationale, description and aim
Physiotherapists work with people whose function is impacted by the consequences of injury or disease. An understanding of disease processes and presentation, including the body's response to stress or injury, and medical investigations and pharmacological management is essential for safe and effective physiotherapy assessment and intervention. In this unit students will build on their knowledge of anatomy, biology and physiology relevant to pathologies of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine systems in particular, and of factors that contribute to the development of disease. Students will also be introduced the use of heat and cold as physiotherapeutic interventions. The aim of this unit is to prepare students for the application of this knowledge to physiotherapy assessment and interventions in subsequent physiotherapy practice units.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Apply principles of normal physiological function ...
Learning Outcome 01
Discuss determinants and patterns of health, illne...
Learning Outcome 02
Describe the aetiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiol...
Learning Outcome 03
Discuss medical investigations and pharmacological...
Learning Outcome 04
Discuss and demonstrate the safe application of he...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
Concepts, determinants and patterns of health and disease
- Personal, social, environmental and structural factors
- Health of priority populations in Australia including First Nation peoples
Introduction to medical terminology
The body's normal physiological response to stress and injury, activity tolerance and fatigue including long COVID
- Inflammation and health; immunity and autoimmunity; effects of age on healing
Musculoskeletal system
- Selected acute and chronic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system
- Diagnostic investigations relevant to physiotherapy clinical practice
Respiratory system
- Advanced anatomy and physiology of the adult and paediatric respiratory system
- Selected acute and chronic pathologies of the respiratory system
- Medications for the management of respiratory disease
- Investigations relevant to physiotherapy clinical practice
Cardiovascular system
- Advanced anatomy and physiology of the adult cardiovascular system
- Selected acute and chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system
- Medications for the management of cardiovascular disease
- Investigations relevant to physiotherapy clinical practice
Endocrine system
- Selected acute and chronic pathologies of the endocrine system
- Medications for the management of certain endocrine system pathologies
- Investigations relevant to physiotherapy clinical practice
Cancer
- Epidemiology, aetiology and clinical manifestations of common cancers in Australia
- Investigations and management of common cancers relevant to physiotherapy clinical practice
Electrophysical agents (EPA) in physiotherapy practice
- Cryotherapy
- Heat therapy
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessment task 1 (practical examination) requires students demonstrate understanding of the theoretical knowledge for the use of (rationale), and to safely and effectively apply, hot and cold therapy in order to demonstrate their emerging professional competence. Assessment tasks 2 and 3 (written examinations) require students to demonstrate acquisition and understanding of content presented in this unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment task 1: Mid-semester practical examina...
Assessment task 1: Mid-semester practical examination:
Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behaviour and the ability to safely apply hot or cold treatment on a peer and an understanding of the rational for the use of these techniques.
10 min
20%
Assessment task 2: Mid-semester written examinati...
Assessment task 2: Mid-semester written examination:
Enables students to demonstrate acquisition and understanding of content delivered in the first half of semester.
1.5 hr
35%
Assessment task 3: End-semester written examinati...
Assessment task 3: End-semester written examination:
Enables students to demonstrate acquisition and understanding of content delivered in the second half of the semester.
2 hr
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of learning with a combination of face-to-face, online and other directed independent learning activities.
Theoretical knowledge will be delivered via lectures and online modules. Practical classes provide students with the opportunity to assimilate and apply this knowledge through simulation learning activities including case scenarios.
Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner.