Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer Michael Swain michael.swain@mq.edu.au Contact via 9850 4053 17WW, 349 By appointment Tutor Laura Montgomery laura.montgomery@mq.edu.au By appointment Tutor Stephen Sharp stephen.sharp@mq.edu.au By appointment Tutor Annie Young annie.young@mq.edu.au By appointment Tutor David McNaughton david.mcnaughton@mq.edu.au By appointment Tutor Simon Paul Vella simonpaul.vella@mq.edu.au By appointment Aron Downie aron.downie@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to BChiroSc and (CHIR1101 or CHIR113) and (CHIR1102 or CHIR114)
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit provides an introduction to biomechanics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities. It will build upon concepts of applied anatomy taught in ANAT1002. Clinical application of biomechanical concepts will relate to the skills of patient observation, joint range of motion assessment, tissue palpation, and muscle testing. Clinical reasoning will begin whereby students will learn to reconcile pathomechanics with clinical findings for musculoskeletal injuries. Applying theories taught in HLTH2110, the clinical concept of epidemiological risk will be introduced and explored. Psychomotor skills taught in CHIR1101 and CHIR1102 will be developed. Chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills for the lumbar spine and lower extremity will be introduced.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

ULO1: Describe biomechanics of the lumbar spine and pelvis, joints of the lower extremities, and gait.
ULO2: Demonstrate respect and empathy for patients while performing physical assessment techniques for the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremities: palpation, joint range of motion, muscle testing.
ULO3: At the level of precision, perform chiropractic techniques and joint manipulation skills on the lumbar spine and lower extremity
ULO4: Demonstrate basic clinical reasoning by applying knowledge of lumbopelvic and lower extremity pathomechanics to interpret information derived from a physical assessment.
ULO5: Apply epidemiological knowledge and biostatistical skills to quantify and interpret information pertaining to clinical risk factors.

General Assessment Information

Participation requirements

Tutorial class attendance will be recorded. Students must attend the class in which they are enrolled. Students must not exchange their class time. In special circumstances, students may apply for requests regarding changes. These requests are to be submitted to the unit convener.

Examinations

Students are expected to present themselves for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations.

https://iexams.mq.edu.au/timetable

The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of short-term, unexpected, serious and unavoidable circumstances. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Students with a pre-existing disability/health condition or prolonged adverse circumstances may be eligible for ongoing assistance and support. Such support is governed by other policies and may be sought and coordinated through Campus Wellbeing and Support Services.

Students are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester that is the final day of the official examination period.

Returning assessment tasks and feedback

1. Physical assessment and chiropractic technique portfolio (summative assessment): A modified version of the assessment rubric will be returned to students. Individual feedback will be provided including how to improve future tasks. Assessment marks will be returned via Gradebook. Marks will be incorporated into the final unit grade.

2. Research assignment (summative assessment): A modified version of the assessment rubric will be returned to students with general feedback comments. Assessment marks will be returned via Gradebook. Marks will be incorporated into the final unit grade. Students can request verbal individual feedback.

3. Chiropractic skills assessment (OSCE) (summative assessment): Papers will not be returned. Chiropractic skills performance will be marked in accordance with the chiropractic skills competence continuum (i.e. the skills rubric). Assessment marks will be returned via Gradebook. Marks will be incorporated into the final unit grade. Students can request verbal individual feedback.

4. Final Examination (summative assessment): Papers will not be returned. Assessment marks will be returned via Gradebook. Feedback will be provided on request outside the examination period. Marks will be incorporated into the final unit grade.

5. Weekly lecture quiz submission (formative assessment): Correct answers will be provided. Lecture quiz submission will serve as a proxy measure of student engagement in lecture presentations.

6. Weekly case study quiz submission (formative assessment): Correct answers will be provided. Case quiz submission will serve as a proxy measure of student engagement in tutorial cases.

Extensions and penalties

Extensions to assessments and assignments are at the discretion of the unit convener. It is the responsibility of the student to prove to the unit convener that there has been unavoidable disruption. Marks will be deducted for late submissions in the absence of an approved extension. For the research assignment marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% of the available marks per day.

Grades

Final grades for the unit will reflect the descriptors given below:

ASSESSMENT GRADES AND STATUS

GRADE	RANGE	STATUS	DESCRIPTION
HD	85-100	Pass	Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality, insight or creativity in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the course/program*.
D	75-84	Pass	Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality or creativity in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the course/program* and the audience.
CR	65-74	Pass	Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the course/program*.
P	50-64	Pass	Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the course/program; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the course/program. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.
F	0-49	Fail	Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the course/program*.
FA	0-49	Fail Absent	The student has failed for non-submission of assessment task or non-attendance at a required assessment

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Physical assessment and chiropractic technique portfolio	10%	No	Week 4
Research assignment	20%	No	Week 7
Chiropractic skills assessment	20%	No	Week 12
Final examination	50%	No	Session 1 Examination Period
Weekly lecture quiz submission	0%	No	Ongoing weeks 1 to 12
Weekly case study quiz submission	0%	No	Ongoing weeks 2 to 11

Physical assessment and chiropractic technique portfolio

Assessment Type ¹: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task ²: 12 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%

Students will maintain a video portfolio that demonstrates their ability to perform physical assessments and chiropractic techniques taught in this unit. Accompanying videos of procedures will be a brief critical appraisal statement that reflects on students' aptitude within the chiropractic skills competency framework. Only a subset of procedures will be evaluated by tutors to formulate the mark for this assessment.