What will I learn on this module?
This module provides your first experience in clinical practice. The university-based components of the module therefore focus on the core skills required for safe and effective practice on those early placements. With a particular focus on physiotherapy assessment, you will explore the physical, psychological and social influences on a person’s health and wellbeing. This will require understanding of person centred, holistic approaches to physiotherapy and how therapeutic communication and assessment skills are fundamental to achieving this.
You will learn about subjective physiotherapy assessment, the process by which we gather a range of information from and about our patient, in order to appreciate how this informs subsequent intervention and management. Effective physiotherapy assessment requires excellent communication and a respect for the autonomy of the people we work with. To ensure you are well prepared to respect the rights, dignity and values of service users you will meet on placement, you will also explore issues relating to culture, equality and diversity and consider their relevance in a healthcare context.
You will have the opportunity to practice Physiotherapy therapeutic skills in a “real” environment on practice placement, with the support of University and Clinically based supervisors. This experience will consolidate the skills that you have developed within the University and enable you to understand the links between theory and practice.
How will I learn on this module?
Your learning in this module will take place between university-based teaching sessions and in two periods of practice within a clinical setting. You will be supported to develop your understanding and skills within the university by experienced Physiotherapy staff, through a series of workshops linked with your clinical placements. HCPC and CSP standards, particularly those relating to communication, assessment and respecting the rights and values of service users, will be referred to throughout this module. During placement you will work with experienced physiotherapists who will guide your professional development in the context of the specific physiotherapy setting. You will use a portfolio of learning to make links between the university and practice based learning.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Successful academic achievement requires a system of robust support and guidance to help you focus on your learning needs. In addition to
the pastoral support you will receive, the tutors involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic counselling to ensure
that you are able to confidently engage with the academic and practical rigour of this module. This dialogue will be face to face in lectures, seminars and workshops with tutorial support available, and is an essential aspect of the programme’s assessment for learning strategy. Extensive support is also accessible online as part of the University’s commitment to technology enhanced learning. This employs the use of the e-learning portal.
A central feature the academic support available to you is the service provided by the University Library. This 24/7 service caters for all your learning needs, has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and communication skills.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Use subjective assessment skills to identify risks or serious safety issues, and to formulate a basic problem list
2. Understand the importance of adopting a person centred approach to physiotherapy assessment that accounts for physical, psychological and social factors
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Develop skills of reflection as an ongoing learning tool pre, during and post placement
2. Be able to identify learning needs in relation not practice placement
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. Demonstrate awareness and application of appropriate ethics, non-discriminatory practice, cultural awareness and person-centred care in meeting the requirements of the Health and Caring Professions Council Professional Standards
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment:
You will receive feedback on development of your communication and assessment skills during seminars and workshops and in pre and post placement tutorials where you will reflect on and plan for your placement learning. During placement there will be ongoing formative assessment of practice where strengths and areas for development are identified. This will be supported through regular supervision meetings between the student and the practice educator.
Summative assessment
Level 4 Practice Placement Competencies (ALL MLOs)
You will be assessed by your Practice Educator on a pass/fail basis in line with specified level 4 competencies. You will receive written and verbal feedback on your strengths and areas for development from your Practice Educator
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module encompasses your clinical placements for the first year of the programme and allows for development of your skills within the real-world setting. As part of this module, you will consolidate the learning from other modules at level 4 such as ‘Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice’, ‘MSK anatomy and physiology’, ‘Cardiorespiratory anatomy and physiology’ and ‘Neurological anatomy and physiology’, which provide important underpinning knowledge on which to base a physiotherapy assessment. Taught components of this module will examine physiotherapy practice through the lens of person-centred care, therapeutic communication and effective physiotherapy assessment. You will undergo mandatory training to prepare you for clinical practice, work to develop your Continuing Professional Development portfolio as well as complete pre- and post-placement workshops to prepare and reflect on your clinical practice experience.
Course info
UCAS Code B165
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years full-time
Department Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2024 or September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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