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Foundations of Physiotherapy

General Information

This subject will establish the foundation for the remaining subjects in the program.    Historical and contemporary healthcare and health workforce issues will be discussed with reference to individual, local, national, and international perspectives.  Professional standards and ethics and medico-legal responsibilities of physiotherapists will be explored.  Students will develop an understanding of the generic physiotherapy approaches to preventative care and management of clients in order to maximise outcomes.  Communication skills relevant to health practitioners will be developed and practised, and a client-centred approach to practice will be emphasised whilst students develop an awareness of cultural differences.  An evidence based approach to physiotherapy practice will be introduced, and skills relevant to locating, evaluating, and applying pertinent clinical evidence to client assessment and management will be developed.  Students will review and advance their anatomical and physiological knowledge relevant to physiotherapy clients and the role of pharmacology in patient management.  Clinical areas of workplace health and safety, manual handling, infection control, and clinical record keeping will be discussed, and appropriate clinical skills developed.  The role of the physiotherapist in primary health care and future challenges of extended-scope practice will be explored.  There will be an emphasis throughout this subject on physiotherapy management across the lifespan encouraging respect for individuality and diversity.

Academic unit: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
Subject code: PHTY71-401
Subject title: Foundations of Physiotherapy
Subject level: Postgraduate
Semester/Year: May 2024
Credit points: 20.000

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Pre-requisites:

There are no pre-requisites

Co-requisites:

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Nil

Assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.

At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.

Find your program

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

  1. Derive the quality of an information source using the principles of evidence-based practice.
  2. Apply allied health workplace health and safety measures (notably infection control and manual handling), when dealing with clients.
  3. Relate the roles and responsibilities of health professionals in the Australian healthcare system with specific regard to physiotherapists.
  4. Apply the anatomy of the body systems with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems, and anatomical knowledge to principles of physiotherapy assessment.
  5. Compare anatomical, physiological, cognitive, and biomechanical variations associated with normal aging across the lifespan.
  6. Apply an inclusive, culturally responsive, and client-centred model to practice as a student physiotherapist.
  7. Apply communication and clinical interview skills to obtain a client history, including informed consent.
  8. Explicate the acquisition and modification of movement skills.
  9. Apply basic physiotherapy soft tissue treatment techniques on a client safely and effectively.
  10. Apply electrotherapy modality theory and demonstrate its use on a client safely and effectively.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.

Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
Computer-Aided Examination (Closed)^ Exam 30.00% Week 7 (Mid-Semester Examination Period) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Presentation Seminar (Individual) Semester (12 minutes per person with 3 mins for questions) 20.00% Week 6 1,7
Skills Test^ Anatomy Spotter (OSCE station) 10.00% Week 7 5,6
OSCE^ OSCE 40.00% Week 7 1,2,4,5,6,7,9,10
  • ^ Students must pass this assessment to pass the subject
  • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
  • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

Pass requirement

* Students must attempt all assessment items. Students must achieve a pass or better for the OSCE stations and Technical Skills Test (OSCE and anatomy spotter combined), and the Exam (written assessment) to pass this subject. If a student does not pass a specific OSCE station or the Technical Skills Test, they will be required to attend remedial training and demonstrate their competence in this area. A student who does not meet the above criteria will be deemed to have failed the assessment and may be offered a resit as per the DPHTY Rules of Assessment and Progression. If eligible, a resit opportunity will be scheduled and conducted as soon as practicable after all of the summative assessments have been completed.

Study Information

Submission procedures

Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.

Policy on late submission and extensions

A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.

Academic Integrity

Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.

Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.

If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.

Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).

As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.

For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.

Additional subject information

This subject aims to address the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. (Please refer to the subject guide supplement for mapping of the subject Learning Outcomes to the Physiotherapy Roles and Key Competencies outlined in the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand).

Subject curriculum

Approved on: Mar 8, 2024. Edition: 4.2
Last updated: Mar 8, 2024