Introductory Physiotherapy Skills (12008.1)

Required texts

Highly Recommended

Author: Hazel M. Calarkson

Year: 2000

Title: Musculoskeletal Assessment - Joint Range of Motion, Muscle Testing and Function

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer

ISBN: 978-1-975112-42-2

Exercise program software

Students will research exercise programs in this unit. It is recommended students use Physitrack (free) as this will also be used in future units of study and on clinical placement. Please use a UC license to access Physitrack and follow instructions carefully, as incorrect procedure may result in loss of access: https://support.physitrack.com/article/192-free-physitrack-for-physiotherapy-students

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

The video assignment is to be submitted to the appropriate assignment drop-box on Canvas.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

This unit is delivered on-campus with some lectures being delivered online. Please check the time table on Canvas for details.

All tutorials are delivered face-to-face. Tutorials are not recorded. Attendance and participation in practical classes are essential for the successful completion of this unit.

Students are required to partially disrobe during practical classes to allow effective practice of physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques. Appropriate draping and privacy screens are available. Please wear clothing that allows easy access to the peripheral joints of the body, for example, shorts and singlets. 

Required IT skills

This unit requires the use of exercise prescription programs Physitrack and Physioexercises.com. Both can be accessed via an internet browser. Please follow the instructions on how to create a free student account on Canvas.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Occupational Health and Safety

The following applies to all Practical Classes:

Pre-­existing conditions

Students are advised that the same warnings given to patients apply to students undertaking this course, e.g. where a pre-existing condition(s) may be affected by any activity in the unit, the student is responsible for advising the unit convener or relevant teaching staff.

Manual handling

Physiotherapy work requires manual handling, and it is important that you protect both yourself and your peers. You will be taught the correct way to perform manual handling and should use the principles at all times to prevent injury to yourself or your client. If you have any injury that may affect your capacity to perform manual handling skills, you must notify the Unit Convener at the commencement of the semester. If you obtain a new injury during the semester that may affect your capacity to perform manual handling skills, you must notify the Unit Convener before the next practical class. In the event of an injury being sustained during the practice of skills in class, you must notify the Unit Convener within 24 hours of the event and complete a UC incident form.

Respect and consent

Students will be required to play the part of a patient and a therapist during practical classes. This may involve partially disrobing as appropriate. All professional courtesy and respect are to be provided. This includes consent, draping, and safety. As a therapist, your clothing should not prohibit movements or present a safety hazard. Hair should be kept short or tied back. Fingernails should be trimmed so that they do not cause injury or discomfort to your peers.

The student role-playing the patient should be given the full respect and courtesy that a patient would. This includes giving warnings, obtaining informed consent before a manual technique is performed, covering body areas that do not need to be exposed for the practice of the technique, and not making inappropriate verbal comments.

As a ‘patient', you will be expected to partially disrobe to allow the ‘therapist' to see relevant body regions. Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing for the level of dress required during practical classes. Appropriate clothing reinforces a professional environment that fosters mutual respect, confidence, and learning.

Recording devices

Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode before the commencement of class. No cameras or recording equipment are to be used in practical classes without the specific permission of other students and the Unit Convener. Any person taking a picture or recording video or audio of another student or staff without permission will be requested to leave the class, and the files will be confiscated and deleted. They will also be brought to the Head of Discipline.

• Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (221139)
• Semester 2, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (221110)