Acute Care Physiotherapy Practice

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Abstract

Students completing this subject will develop knowledge and skills required for physiotherapy practice in acute care settings. Assessment, clinical reasoning and practical skills relevant to the physiotherapy management of health problems affecting individuals admitted to acute care settings such as hospitals, will be addressed. Additionally, students will evaluate the experience of a client in accessing and utilising health care services. A major component of this subject will address core competencies expected of entry-level practice in the specialist area of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice. Students enrolling in this subject are expected to have achieved a substantive level of background knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiorespiratory system, and foundation levels of knowledge of physiotherapy practice.

Syllabus

Cardiorespiratory anatomy, pathophysiology and function;Characteristics of physiotherapy in acute care settings;Conducting a cardiorespiratory physiotherapy assessment;Obtaining and interpreting supplementary clinical information available in the acute care settings including chest x-rays, medication charts, ECGs, auscultation and arterial blood gases;Application of physiotherapy skills in the assessment and management of diseases, and dysfunction of … For more content click the Read More button below.

Cardiorespiratory anatomy, pathophysiology and function;
Characteristics of physiotherapy in acute care settings;
Conducting a cardiorespiratory physiotherapy assessment;
Obtaining and interpreting supplementary clinical information available in the acute care settings including chest x-rays, medication charts, ECGs, auscultation and arterial blood gases;
Application of physiotherapy skills in the assessment and management of diseases, and dysfunction of the cardiorespiratory system for adults and children;
Common presentations and pathology of common cardiorespiratory disorders;
Clinical reasoning in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy;
Identifying goals of physiotherapy and physiotherapy intervention strategies as relevant to cardiorespiratory physiotherapy;
Legal and ethical requirements of acute care practice;
Evidence-based practice in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy; and
Physiotherapy in relation to critical care and multisystem management.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to plan and apply a range of physiotherapy assessment and evaluation techniques using tests, tools and outcome measures relevant to cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice;

be able to demonstrate and articulate sound clinical reasoning processes which explore, explain and analyse assessment findings;

be able to plan and apply safe and effective physiotherapy intervention for cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice;

be able to demonstrate professional behaviour appropriate to cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice;

be able to communicate effectively to involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of acute care physiotherapy;

be able to reflect on professional practice and take timely and appropriate action to recognise situations outside of competence and determine the actions required to continually improve;

be able to use best available evidence to critically evaluate information and derive recommendations for a target client group;

be able to demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiological basis of common cardiorespiratory conditions and the interplay between structure and function of the cardiorespiratory systems in health and disease states; and

be able to demonstrate understanding of the impact of pain on cardiorespiratory function and how this may impact physiotherapy management .

Enrolment restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours).

Pre-requisite