Supporting Participation: Physiotherapy across the Lifespan

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Abstract

This subject will enable students to develop knowledge and skills in physiotherapy assessment, treatment and management for clients presenting with a variety of congenital, neurological and complex movement disorders across the lifespan. Students will build upon and consolidate their knowledge of neurological physiotherapy and consider global health and humanitarian issues impacting client care. Students will use a strengths-based, culturally responsive approach to physiotherapy assessment and treatment that is underpinned by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, and client and family-centred practice. Students will gain knowledge and skills to assess child development and will obtain an understanding of the variety of ways in which child development unfolds, depending on complex cultural, social and individual factors. Effective communication with clients, families and healthcare providers will be highlighted. Students will be expected to apply ethical decision making and skills in evidence-based clinical reasoning to inform assessment, and to develop collaborative, culturally sensitive, holistic and innovative solutions for infants, children, adolescents and young adults presenting with congenital, neurological, and complex movement disorders.

Syllabus

Physiotherapy across the lifespan with a focus on infants, children, adolescents and young adults to enable participation;Physiotherapy for a range of conditions such as injuries to the central nervous system, neurodevelopmental or degenerative neuromuscular conditions, complex movement disorders and vestibular dysfunction;Innovation, equipment prescription and funding;Congenital orthopaedic conditions in infancy and … For more content click the Read More button below.

Physiotherapy across the lifespan with a focus on infants, children, adolescents and young adults to enable participation;
Physiotherapy for a range of conditions such as injuries to the central nervous system, neurodevelopmental or degenerative neuromuscular conditions, complex movement disorders and vestibular dysfunction;
Innovation, equipment prescription and funding;
Congenital orthopaedic conditions in infancy and childhood and implications across the lifespan;
Culturally sensitive family and client-focused practice and communication strategies;
Theoretical frameworks of physiotherapy in paediatric physiotherapy practice such as strengths-based, functional and collaborative goal setting;
Child development, growth and movement dysfunction in childhood;
Evidence based and collaborative clinical decision making underpinned by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework; and
Global health and humanitarian issues and the role of the physiotherapist as a global citizen.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in safe and effective physiotherapy assessment, treatment and evaluation to support participation for infants, children, adolescents and young adults;

be able to demonstrate effective and clear communication with simulated clients/families, peers and relevant others;

be able to demonstrate sound, evidence based, decision making processes to analyse and explain assessment findings and anticipate the future impacts of growth, development and disability across the lifespan;

be able to create targeted, collaborative, culturally safe goals and evaluate these when planning safe and effective physiotherapy intervention for infants, children, adolescents and young adults;

be able to evaluate the impact of global health and humanitarian issues on physiotherapy practice and client care across the lifespan;

be able to explain the principles of child development and identify the influence of culture on development, function and participation;

be able to apply principles of child, family and person-centred practice, and demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and legal issues when working with clients across the lifespan; and

be able to demonstrate appropriate decision making about collaborative practice and advocacy for client care across the lifespan.

Enrolment restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the 4405PH Bachelor of Physiotherapy and 4505BP Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours).

Pre-requisite