Year
2021Credit points
10Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unitPrerequisites
PHTY103 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2
Teaching organisation
150 hours of focused learning.Unit rationale, description and aim
Physiotherapists work with people presenting with neuromusculoskeletal disorders of the lower limb. This requires the ability to formulate a problem list, and develop, implement, evaluate and progress an intervention program which is efficient, effective, culturally responsive, evidence-based and person-centred. In this unit students will build on the knowledge acquired, and clinical reasoning skills developed in year 1 units (specifically clinical measurement, biomechanics of movement and exercise prescription). Students will gain new knowledge in the assessment and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb across the lifespan as well as the medical and physiotherapy management of lower limb orthopaedic conditions following trauma or elective orthopaedic surgery. The overall aim for the unit is to prepare students for professional practice in the area of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
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.
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LO1 - Apply knowledge of musculoskeletal physiology and pathophysiology, and movement science to inform and justify a safe, effective, person-centred physiotherapy management plan (assessment, intervention, evaluation and progression) (GA1; GA4; GA5; GA8)
LO2 - Adapt and perform an interview (GA1; GA5; GA9)
LO3 - Select, and safely and effectively apply and interpret, measurement and testing procedures to assess a person presenting with a neuromusculoskeletal disorder of the lower limb, and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of a physiotherapy management (GA1; GA3; GA4; GA5; GA8)
LO4 - Select, modify, and safely and effectively apply, physiotherapy interventions for a person presenting with a neuromusculoskeletal disorder of the lower limb (GA1; GA3; GA4; GA5; GA9)
LO5 - Accurately document a physiotherapy management plan (GA5; GA9).
Graduate attributes
GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity
GA3 - apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making
GA4 - think critically and reflectively
GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession
GA8 - locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information
GA9 - demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media
Content
Topics will include:
Pathology of lower limb
Fractures and arthroplasties
Fractures of lower limb
Pathology and healing of fractures
Principles of management including physiotherapy management
Complications of immobility, trauma and fractures
Manual handling
Overuse injuries
Tendinopathy
Sprains
Muscle strains
Neural mechanosensitivity disorders
Haematoma
Medical imaging
Physiotherapy assessment
Subjective examination of lower limb disorders
Physical examination of lower limb disorders
Muscle strength and length
Movement pattern assessment
Range of motion
Joint stability and integrity
Identification of contraindications to physiotherapy intervention
Modification of a physiotherapy assessment to accommodate cultural, social and ethical considerations
Physiotherapy interventions
Exercise therapy
Principles of exercise and evidence for exercise prescription across the lifespan
Functionally specific exercise
Slings, springs, weights, pulleys and theraband
Principles of exercising in water
Principles of individual education
Biofeedback techniques
Contraindications and precautions
Manual therapy
Mobilisation and manipulation techniques
Massage and other soft tissue techniques
Neurodynamic techniques
Electrophysical agents (EPA)
Introduction to the use of electrophysical agents in musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice
Taping and bracing
Advice and education
Modification of physiotherapy interventions to accommodate cultural, social and ethical considerations
Outcome measures
Pain assessment
Functional limitation assessment
Range of motion
Muscle strength
Movement patterns
Evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of physiotherapy interventions
Modification of application of outcome measures to accommodate cultural, social and ethical considerations
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.
The theoretical knowledge underpinning assessment and intervention will be delivered via lectures and online modules. Practical classes provide students with the opportunity to develop their clinical reasoning skills through the use of case studies and, communication, assessment and treatment skills through simulation learning activities.
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.
Assessment strategy and rationale
Accurate and adequate documentation is a legal requirement for health care professionals. Assessment task 1 (hurdle) requires students to document in a written form a patient interview, physical examination, and the rationale for physiotherapy assessment and treatment plans using accepted notation. Students will add to the portfolio over the semester. This task assesses a foundation skill relevant for subsequent physiotherapy practice academic and clinical units. Assessment tasks 2-4 align with the presentation of the content in this unit of study. This unit takes an authentic assessment approach allowing students to demonstrate their learning and competency for clinically relevant scenarios. Assessment tasks 2 and 3 (practical examinations) require students to assimilate and apply theoretical knowledge, and perform clinical practice skills, in order to demonstrate their emerging professional competence in the areas of assessment and treatment of people with neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb. Assessment task 3 (written examination) requires students to demonstrate acquired theoretical knowledge and assimilate and apply this knowledge to clinically relevant case scenarios.
Overview of assessments
Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes | Graduate Attributes |
---|---|---|---|
Assessment task 1: Documentation portfolio Enables students to demonstrate the ability to document in a written form, the planning for, and outcomes of, assessments and treatments for common knee, hip and ankle conditions. | Hurdle | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5 | GA3, GA4, GA8, GA9 |
Assessment task 2: Mid-semester practical examination: Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behaviour, clinical reasoning and the ability to undertake appropriate assessment and treatment techniques on a peer for conditions covered in the first half of the semester. 15 min | 25% | LO1, LO3, LO4 | GA1, GA4, GA5, GA9 |
Assessment task 3: End-semester practical examination: Enables students to demonstrate competency in professional behaviour, clinical reasoning and the ability to undertake appropriate assessment and treatment techniques on a peer for conditions covered in the second half of semester. 15 min | 25% | LO1, LO3, LO4 | GA1, GA4, GA5, GA9 |
Assessment task 4: End-semester written examination: Enables students to demonstrate their acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the implications for physiotherapy practice for neuromusculoskeletal disorders of the lower limb and, to articulate the rationale for assessment and intervention choices for clinically relevant case scenarios. 2 hr | 50% | LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5 | GA4, GA5, GA8 |
Representative texts and references
Brukner, P., & Khan, K. (2016). Clinical sports medicine (5th ed.). Sydney McGraw Hill Co.
Constantinou, M., & Brown, M. (2010). Therapeutic taping for musculoskeletal conditions. Sydney Chatswood: Elsevier.
Hattam, P., & Smeatham, A. (2010). Special tests in musculoskeletal examination: An evidence-based guide for clinicians. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Hengeveld, E., & Banks, K. (2013). Maitland’s peripheral manipulation. (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Keleher, M., & MacDougall, C. (2009). Understanding health: a determinants approach (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.
McKinnis, L.E. (2010). Fundamentals of musculoskeletal imaging. (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis. (Available as full text Electronic Resource)
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/multicultural/health_workers/cultdiver_guide.asp