Physiotherapy

This module starts your leadership journey by focusing on individuals as independent learners and professionals, including an awareness of your own health and wellbeing and how this can impact you in practice. You will gain an understanding of working as a professional within health and social care settings.  

You will understand the requirement for Continuous Professional Development and how to maintain a Personal Development Portfolio that records learning and education activities. You will use reflective models, set goals and personal objectives. You will be introduced to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles and practice. Professionalism, codes of conduct/standards of practice, values-based practice, and governance, patient safety, consent and confidentiality will be discussed. You will develop your academic writing skills, communication skills, professionalism and reflection and are required to demonstrate this in practice in line with CSP and HCPC standards.

The objective of the module is to cover the normal human anatomy and physiology across the lifespan. It includes key psychological and behaviour theories that enable an understanding of biopsychosocial approaches. Physiological, structural, behavioural and functional changes associated with selected pathology and disease processes, as well as healing will be covered for a range of generically and commonly encountered conditions such as inflammation, processes linked to ageing, injury and ill health. It will also introduce basic elements of pain theory and rudimental aspects of pharmacology and medicine management including legislation and understanding of the scope of practice essential for safe physiotherapy. The module explores basic research skills such as literature searching, referencing, information processing and introduction to evidence-informed practice.

This module introduces generic subjective and objective assessment skills for holistic biopsychosocial assessments using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework for health, fitness and disability. Principles of biomechanics, clinical measurement techniques and mobility aid assessment will be applied through studying normal movement and function and applying growing anatomical knowledge and terminology.

Assessments and their findings will be used to undertake basic clinical reasoning, safe mobility, aid prescription and generate documentation of findings, problems lists, and person-orientated goals which take into account an individual's physical, psychological, social and cultural needs. Basic research skills such as information searching and synthesis will be used to introduce an evidence-based practice approach. Through the use of case studies, the module will demonstrate how physiotherapy assessment contributes to a safe, person-centred approach with a strong focus on informed consent.

The aim of the module is to ensure secure cardiorespiratory anatomy and physiology and introduce physiological, structural, behavioural and functional changes associated with selected pathology and disease progression in cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This module covers basic cardiorespiratory assessment to determine a patient’s physical, psychological and cultural needs and the application of clinical reasoning and decision making in the formulation of problem lists and an appropriate plan of management.  

The module covers safe and effective application and communication of management including treatment techniques commonly experienced in cardiorespiratory practice. A series of theoretical case studies will enable you to consider selected psychosocial and wider influences in the context of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy such as self-identity, beliefs, coping and adjustment, engagement, team working, self-management, dignity and empathy. The module uses basic research skills such as information processing and critiquing, evidence-based practice and using evidence where appropriate.

This module will develop and apply knowledge and skills for care of people with commonly encountered musculoskeletal problems and presentations seen in a variety of settings. Subjective and objective assessment skills will be developed, and findings will be used to produce reasoned hypotheses, problem lists, SMART goals and treatment plans which take into account an individual's physical, psychological, social and cultural needs.

The module covers theory, practice and communication of a variety of treatment approaches and interventions including advice and education, exercise and rehabilitation, introduction to manual therapy and therapeutic adjuncts with precautions and contraindications to these. Basic research skills such as information processing and critiquing will be used to introduce an evidence-based practice approach. Through the use of clinical case studies and digital tools, the module considers how safe and effective assessment and treatment techniques can be integrated into a person-centred management plan and communicated professionally.

The module covers normal neurological anatomy and physiology. The physiological, structural, behavioural and functional changes associated with selected neurological pathology and disease progression will be taught. This module will cover neurological assessment to determine an individual’s physical, psychological and cultural needs in accordance with the ICF. It will also consider the application of clinical reasoning in the formulation of problem lists, goal setting and treatment planning.  

You will study the safe and effective application of management techniques commonly encountered in neurology. Selected psychosocial and wider influences on the context of physiotherapy are included, such as self-identity, beliefs, coping and adjustment, engagement, team working, self-management, dignity and empathy. The module uses basic research skills such as information processing, critiquing and use of evidence informed practice and digital tools where appropriate. 

Students undertake 450 hours of Practice Based Learning (PBL) in two blocks, developing skills and actively participating in the application of safe, person-centred, evidence-informed physiotherapy tasks under the guidance of a practice educator. PBL experiences provide opportunities for self-development and to extend and improve knowledge and evidence-informed reasoning so that learning integrates with practice across all four pillars of practice.

You are expected to demonstrate professional values and behaviours and work alongside a variety of individuals and healthcare professionals. You will be allocated a member of the Physiotherapy Programme team who will provide a link to the academic programme and will meet at least once during each PBL block. 

You will advance your skills in the assessment of people preparing for, or requiring, hospital care including physiotherapy for people with more complex or acute cardiorespiratory, neurological or mobility problems, emphasising information gathering, investigation, interpretation and modification of assessment based on clinical presentation and clinical reasoning.

Increasingly complex case studies develop knowledge in more acute/complex pathologies, and facilitate problem-solving approaches in common areas of hospital-based care, for example orthopaedics, prehabilitation, emergency department, acute stroke, medical and surgical wards, higher dependency and intensive care. You explore holistic and context-dependent physiotherapy assessment and treatment approaches, evaluation and monitoring with a strong focus on safe and evidence informed biopsychosocial practice. Deeper understanding of health inequalities and the impact of wider determinants of health in the provision of care for people requiring hospital-based care will result. 

You will advance your clinical and holistic biopsychosocial assessment skills with emphasis on information gathering, modification of approach based on clinical presentation and clinical reasoning for differential diagnoses and construction of prioritised problem lists with consideration of function and participation for quality of life. Increasingly complex case studies facilitate problem-solving approaches in different primary care, outpatient and community settings.

The module covers safe and effective application, modification and progression of treatment/management and rehabilitation. You will develop your understanding of wider determinants of health to support management of people with longer-term and more complex conditions through inclusive and agreed, person-centred approaches. Clinical skills include models of behaviour change, health promotion and education and digital technology. The benefits and challenges of different approaches and consideration of relevant evidence-based practice, policies/guidelines/legal and ethical requirements will be covered. Presenting skills will be developed through learning and teaching.

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of research in healthcare including how research can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You will explore scientific approaches to finding, appraising and utilising research to enhance your professional evidence-based approach. The module introduces a range of philosophical approaches (e.g. post-positivism, constructivism and pragmatism) and relates these to the purpose, design, methodology and methods of research.

You will explore quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods primary research and secondary research. The module encourages working and learning in groups and/or individually to identify research gaps, construct a research question and develop a protocol design which complies with good research practice guidelines. This includes PPI involvement, sampling and recruitment, data collection and analysis plans and an understanding of validity, reliability and trustworthiness. Understanding and compliance with legal and ethical processes will be included, and tools for research project management including academic writing and referencing will be developed. 

The focus of this module is developing your leadership skills with a focus on collaborative practice and working in teams. You will be given the opportunity to explore the challenges and complexities of working within multidisciplinary teams. The module will develop your interpersonal and communication skills and will allow you to consider how digital technologies can influence effective care.

Different leadership styles will be explored including how these influence team effectiveness and the importance of diversity within teams will be discussed. You will be encouraged to take a broader view on how teams and organisations can adapt to meet the needs of the population. Learning opportunities which explore the roles of other professionals and, where possible, inter-professional learning opportunities are included. Case studies working with other modules will be used where appropriate. 

You will undertake 525 hours of practice-based learning (PBL) in two blocks providing opportunities to progress critical reasoning in different areas of practice from all pillars of practice. You will demonstrate increasing levels of independence with safe, evidence-informed and justified person-centred physiotherapy tasks within scope of practice under the guidance of practice educator(s).

You will show increasing autonomy to safely handle larger caseloads and tasks with the oversight of your practice educator. PBL provides opportunities to take responsibility for ongoing self-development and to critically extend and improve knowledge and evidence-informed reasoning to proactively integrate theory with practice. You are expected to consistently demonstrate professional values and behaviours and work alongside a variety of individuals and healthcare professionals. You will be allocated to a member of the Physiotherapy faculty team who will provide a link to the academic programme and will meet you at least once during each PBL experience. Preparation and debrief will support your readiness and reflective practice.

The module covers the management of people with complex or multi-faceted needs relating to biopsychosocial factors or contextual/contemporary issues. It focuses on evidence-informed, holistic and personalised approaches as foundations for quality physiotherapy provision.  You will learn adaptability for provision of best care using problem-solving with wider information sources and considering legal and ethical factors, key policies and guidelines.  

You will integrate theory with practical application within themes including specialist areas and emerging areas of practice. Simulation-based learning activities will reflect conditions and population covered, with students applying their learning to less familiar or unpredictable situations. Where appropriate, service users or other allied health professionals will be involved in the learning, teaching and/or assessment. You will utilise and share your practice-based learning and viewed as co-constructors of learning and teaching materials. In at least one theme block, students will normally be provided with choice.

This module allows you to develop your learning from research methods in level 5 and apply it by completing your own capstone project. The research project may take different forms depending on your and programme requirements. Ethical approval in line with University Policy will be required before data collection can begin. This may require consideration and/or production of participant information sheets, consent forms, draft data collection plans and communication of plans to ensure compliance with legal and ethical policies and regulation.

You will conduct and manage your own project and take it through the research process, then write up in the form of a paper prepared for journal publication. You will learn how to manage your research project, ensure good research practice and compliance with relevant legal and ethical requirements and will be supported through group work and a mentor/supervisor. You will be supported to identify and meet your learning needs as users, producers and communicators of research for professional practice. Written and research communication skills will be developed.

This module explores physiotherapy services within wider healthcare settings including political, population and institutional drivers and it develops pillars of practice from previous levels. The module includes the funding and commissioning of services, healthcare tools, models and frameworks to improve services and you utilise service scenarios to explore service challenges and critically reflect on interventions and the key factors that influence service design and innovation.

Different healthcare settings will be considered including the National Health Service, private sector and beyond. Global health considerations include humanitarian and service development work and their impacts. You will develop critical reflective skills and prepare for professional practice. You will consider standards of proficiency required for accreditation and registration. Different methods of continuing professional development in all  four pillars of practice will be explored as will employability and individual needs and plans for safe, effective, high-quality, values-based, diverse, inclusive and person-centred autonomous practice.