Students

PHTY8105 – Physiotherapy Practice A

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit coordinator
Mark Hancock
75T, Ground Floor
Email for appointment
Lecturer
Tash Pocovi
75T, Ground Floor
Email for appointment
Lecturer
Bridget Dean
MQ Health Physiotherapy Clinic
Email for appointment
Course director
Kelly Gray
75T, Ground Floor
Email for appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(PHTY800 or PHTY8100) and (PHTY801 or PHTY8101) and (PHTY802 or PHTY8102) and (MEDI915 or MEDI8105 or PHTY803 or PHTY8103)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Within this unit you will develop the knowledge and skills required by physiotherapists to assess and treat clients of all ages with common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine. Through the application of clinical reasoning, and the principles of evidence-based and person-centred care you will implement safe and effective physiotherapy management strategies specific to an individual presenting with musculoskeletal disorders of the spine.

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 common musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine, and the pelvis; and the principles of, and efficacy for, physiotherapy treatment of these conditions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Competently screen for serious spinal pathologies and describe the appropriate course of action for those suspected of having such pathology. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Apply the biopsychosocial model to effectively and efficiently assess individuals with musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, including a comprehensive history and physical examination and screening for predictors of persistent pain and disability. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO4: Analyse assessment findings to form a clinical diagnosis and generate a prioritised list of problems in impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO5: Communicate effectively with people with spinal pain to provide appropriate information about their diagnosis and prognosis and treatment.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO6: Competently develop and implement a safe and effective person-centred physiotherapy plan that addresses the individual’s goals and preferences, utilises evidence-based practice, considers cultural and social factors, and is evaluated using appropriate outcome measures.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • ULO7: Competently perform core physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills for common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine (Clinical Practitioner)

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128 and 129).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of all the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Hurdle Assessment

The PHTY8105 Mastery Register is a hurdle assessment task. A hurdle assessment is defined as an assessment task mandating a minimum level of performance as a condition of passing the unit in which it occurs. Students are required to achieve 60% completion of the Mastery Register items by the due date to successfully complete the unit. A student who has obtained a SNG over 50, yet failed the hurdle assessment, fails the unit. Please see Macquarie University's assessment policy for more information about hurdle assessment tasks. Should you fail to meet the requirements of the Mastery Register by the assessment due date, one supplementary opportunity will be provided to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for this assessment. Should you still not meet a pass standard a Fail (Hurdle) grade will be awarded, as indicated by a FH grade upon your transcript.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day an assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Clinical Simulation Exam 1 30% No Week 7
Clinical Simulation Exam 2 30% No Week 13
Exam 1 20% No Exam period
Exam 2 20% No Exam period
Mastery register 0% Yes Week 13

Clinical Simulation Exam 1

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

 

You will simulate physiotherapy assessment of a musculoskeletal condition of the spine based on a case scenario.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Competently screen for serious spinal pathologies and describe the appropriate course of action for those suspected of having such pathology. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Apply the biopsychosocial model to effectively and efficiently assess individuals with musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, including a comprehensive history and physical examination and screening for predictors of persistent pain and disability. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Communicate effectively with people with spinal pain to provide appropriate information about their diagnosis and prognosis and treatment.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Competently perform core physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills for common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine (Clinical Practitioner)

Clinical Simulation Exam 2

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

You will simulate physiotherapy management of a musculoskeletal condition of the spine based on a case scenario

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Competently screen for serious spinal pathologies and describe the appropriate course of action for those suspected of having such pathology. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Analyse assessment findings to form a clinical diagnosis and generate a prioritised list of problems in impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Communicate effectively with people with spinal pain to provide appropriate information about their diagnosis and prognosis and treatment.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Competently develop and implement a safe and effective person-centred physiotherapy plan that addresses the individual’s goals and preferences, utilises evidence-based practice, considers cultural and social factors, and is evaluated using appropriate outcome measures.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Competently perform core physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills for common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine (Clinical Practitioner)

Exam 1

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 20%

 

This exam includes short and long answer questions on all unit content

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe common musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine, and the pelvis; and the principles of, and efficacy for, physiotherapy treatment of these conditions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently screen for serious spinal pathologies and describe the appropriate course of action for those suspected of having such pathology. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Apply the biopsychosocial model to effectively and efficiently assess individuals with musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, including a comprehensive history and physical examination and screening for predictors of persistent pain and disability. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Analyse assessment findings to form a clinical diagnosis and generate a prioritised list of problems in impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Competently develop and implement a safe and effective person-centred physiotherapy plan that addresses the individual’s goals and preferences, utilises evidence-based practice, considers cultural and social factors, and is evaluated using appropriate outcome measures.(Clinical Practitioner)

Exam 2

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 20%

 

This exam includes short and long answer questions on all unit content

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe common musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral spine, and the pelvis; and the principles of, and efficacy for, physiotherapy treatment of these conditions. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Competently screen for serious spinal pathologies and describe the appropriate course of action for those suspected of having such pathology. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Apply the biopsychosocial model to effectively and efficiently assess individuals with musculoskeletal conditions of the spine, including a comprehensive history and physical examination and screening for predictors of persistent pain and disability. (Clinical Practitioner)
  • Analyse assessment findings to form a clinical diagnosis and generate a prioritised list of problems in impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.(Clinical Practitioner)
  • Competently develop and implement a safe and effective person-centred physiotherapy plan that addresses the individual’s goals and preferences, utilises evidence-based practice, considers cultural and social factors, and is evaluated using appropriate outcome measures.(Clinical Practitioner)

Mastery register

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

The mastery register for PHTY8105 is a list of key skills in which competence is considered to be a requirement for the assurance of quality physiotherapy practice for registration. You must demonstrate a minimum level of competence in these skills as a condition of passing this unit by achieving 60% completion of the mastery register in order to successfully complete the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Competently perform core physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills for common musculoskeletal conditions of the spine (Clinical Practitioner)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos and lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Unit materials and readings

There is no compulsory textbook for this unit. Weekly readings will come from journal articles and a range of text book chapters.  Most weekly readings will be available as full text articles through the library including Leganto. Weekly readings will be listed on iLearn. A number of weekly consolidation resources will be provided. Some will be marked compulsory while others are optional useful resources that interested students can chose to use to deepen and broaden their knowledge.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

To participate optimally when off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information and at times to complete assessment tasks via iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Detailed information pertaining to the unit schedule will be available on the unit iLearn site.

Key topics will be physiotherapy assessment and treatment of spinal pain.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Changes to this unit from 2023 include

  • Revision of the learning outcomes to improve clarity and alignment with teaching and assessment
  • Changing the exams to in person invigilated 

Inclusion and Diversity

 

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook