Physiotherapy in Specific Groups (8994.1)

Required texts

Please consult Canvas for a list of resources provided by guest lecturers.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

See details for each assessment item under 5a.

All written assessment items need to be submitted electronically via the unit Canvas site.

Special assessment requirements

Any special requirements should be discussed with the unit convener in the first two weeks of the semester. Confirmation of this discussion must be in writing (email is acceptable). 

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Moderation of Assessment

The Discipline of Physiotherapy adheres to the University of Canberra’s policies on moderation. Assessments will be moderated to ensure that judgments of students’ performance are consistent, transparent, reliable and valid. If you require further information on how the assessment tasks of this unit are moderated please see the unit convener.

Participation requirements

This unit contains participatory elements which are vital to the Australian Physiotherapy Council professional learning outcomes for this Unit. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances, 100% attendance is expected at all lectures, and 100% participation is required in all placement, externships, tutorials, practicals and presentations.

It is expected that students unable to fulfil these participation requirements will inform the Unit Convener as soon as practical, by telephone or email.

Consideration will be given for illness; however evidence such as a medical certificate will be required.

Required IT skills

The use of UCLearn (Canvas), library searching skills, word processing and electronic presentation skills are necessary for this unit.

In-unit costs

Self printing of electronically provided material.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Mandatory notification and physiotherapy student registration

Mandatory Notifications to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia Pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, physiotherapy practitioners (registered physiotherapists) and education providers have an obligation to report ‘notifiable conduct', to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia in order to prevent the public being placed at risk of harm.

Education providers are also required, under s.143 of the National Law, to make mandatory notifications in relation to students, if the provider reasonably believes:

a) a student enrolled with the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm; or

b) a student for whom the provider has arranged clinical training has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking the clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

Practitioners are required to make a mandatory notification in relation to a student if the practitioner reasonably believes that a student has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

All concerns raised within the Discipline of Physiotherapy or by clinical supervisors or preceptors will be reviewed by the Head of Discipline and the Course Convener before any reporting action is taken.

These professional obligations are taken seriously by staff and the University. Students should be aware of their obligations under student registration.

For further information, please refer to the following websites:

1. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority
2. Physiotherapy Board of Australia

Occupational Health and Safety

The following applies to all tutorial classes and practicums:

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 to advise the unit co-ordinator or relevant teaching staff.

Also, in the course of studying physiotherapy students may be exposed to clinical cases and situations that may be stressful. At UC a free Counselling Service is available for all students. All sessions are confidential. The UC Counselling Service is located in the UC Health and Counselling Centre on Level B in Building 1. For more information please go to http://www.canberra.edu.au/health-counselling

Manual handling

Physiotherapy work requires manual handling. 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 are required to notify the unit convener at the commencement of the semester. If you obtain a new injury during the course of the semester that may affect your capacity to perform manual handling skills you are required to notify the unit convener prior to the next practical class. In the event of an injury being sustained during the practice of skills in class you are required to notify the unit convener within 24 hours of the event and complete a UC incident form.

Respect and consent

The student who is 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 any 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 are wearing appropriate underwear or bike shorts for practical classes. Appropriate clothing reinforces a professional environment that fosters mutual respect, confidence and learning.

As a therapist, your clothing should not prohibit your movements or present in any way as a safety hazard. Hair should be kept short or tied back off your face, and out of the patient's way. Fingernails should be trimmed, so that the white of the nail cannot be seen when looking at the hand from the palm.

No mobile phones are permitted during lectures, practical classes or tutorials. Phones should be switched OFF prior to the commencement of class.

Confidentiality

As part of its partnership arrangements with health agencies, the Faculty of Health at the University of Canberra requires all staff and students to be aware of the requirements of patient privacy. This requires respect for privacy for patients during work integrated learning (clinical) visits and when writing case studies, assignments, writing in clinical records or reflective journals.

All written and verbal work (other than medical notes) requires de-identification of patients' details. In order to support learning while protecting confidentiality of information, the following guidelines have been developed:

1. Pseudonyms should be used for the names of patients and organisations in all academic work.

2. Identifying information, including demographic information, should be modified in academic work, using terminology such as 'similar to'.

3. Staff and students should mark all academic work with sensitive information as 'in-confidence' in the footer.

4. Staff and students should develop 'composite' patients/clients based upon their experiences with several patients or clients in one clinical placement experience if possible. Students should note that this is a 'composite' and not intended to identify a single person.

5. Staff and students should use the password-protect function on their word programs to further guard sensitive information.

6. Staff and students should avoid naming other students, staff, clinical educators or other persons in academic work, such as reflective pieces or portfolios.

7. Students should attend workshops on how to change information about patients in line with these recommendations.

• Physio Non Standard Period 1, 2019, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (191773)
• Trimester 1, 2018, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (180867)
• Flexible Period 2, 2017, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (166515)
• Semester 1, 2016, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (155166)