M3003 - Bachelor of Physiotherapy Advanced - Research (Honours) - 2017

This course provides students with the opportunity to develop research skills beyond the extensive research component already existing within M3002 Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Students undertaking this course will be well placed with regard to applying for scholarships to pursue higher degrees by research, obtaining formal post graduate research opportunities and applying complex research skills in clinical practice.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will:

1. have a standard of knowledge, skills and technical competency appropriate for an entry level practitioner in physiotherapy
2. be prepared to maintain high standards in their professional life through a commitment to lifelong learning
3. be aware of the latest advances in physiotherapy and related fields, and be positioned to engage in the expanding knowledge base
4. appreciate the value of research and be skilled at accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to their everyday practice
5. be effective users of relevant technology
6. understand and show respect for the roles of other professionals and be able to work collaboratively within the discipline of physiotherapy and as part of a multidisciplinary team
7. have the knowledge and skills to practise in a safe and ethical manner in relation to themselves, their clients and the community
8. be client-centred in their approach, respecting the right of clients and their support networks to participate in decision-making
9. demonstrate awareness that people's health encompasses their activities and participation as well as their body structures and functions, personal and environmental factors
10. supervise, manage and take responsibility, as appropriate, when working in collaboration with other professionals, students, clients and their support networks
11. achieve a breadth of education with a tolerance for ambiguity and differing views
12. be reflective and compassionate, with a concern for issues of equity, equality, humanity and social justice
13. have the ability to learn independently and be innovative in their approach to analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation
14. effectively and efficiently communicate with other professionals, clients and the public
15. demonstrate appropriate oral, written and IT skills, including the ability to present coherent argument, negotiate effectively and manage conflict
16. demonstrate awareness of the social, ethical, economic, political and environmental context of illness, health and wellbeing
17. be committed to the health of populations as well as individuals and be proactive in prevention-oriented physiotherapy practice and health promotion
18. understand the social and ethical dimensions of physiotherapy professional activities
19. integrate knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into their practice
20. work effectively with a diverse range of people and settings
21. sustain collaboration with an academic supervisor
22. develop a focused research question
23. complete a sophisticated and comprehensive search for relevant information
24. construct a systematic review using the principles argued by the Cochrane Collaboration
25. extract relevant data from studies included in a review using systematic methods
26. apply knowledge of appropriate research design in the development of a high quality research proposal
27. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ethical research through the development and submission of an ethics application to conduct research
28. determine and apply data analysis methods appropriate for a research question
29. implement a focused research project
30. demonstrate the ability to collect, manage and analyse data collected during the conduct of research
31. demonstrate the ability to accurately document research findings and develop defensible conclusions
32. demonstrate the ability to present research findings and respond in an educated way to enquiries about the research findings
33. utilise feedback appropriately
34. write a scholarly account of a research project in a 10,000-12,000 word thesis
35. demonstrate the ability to adhere to project timelines
36. archive relevant documents arising from the conduct of research
37. write a final report to the approving ethics committee describing project completion.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus rural and metropolitan clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

The course provides an interdisciplinary approach to study of physiotherapy, with five themes that combine to underpin physiotherapy practice: personal and professional development; population, society and health; fundamental knowledge for health sciences; applied practice; and research. These themes are interwoven in units throughout the course.

Part A. Personal and professional development

This theme focuses on the development of personal attributes and skills that assist the student in the transition from student to physiotherapist. It includes verbal and written communication skills and developing an understanding of the importance of relevant ethical and legal issues and the physiotherapy profession.

Part B. Population, society and health

This theme provides the structure to learn about and deal with broader society and population issues and is underpinned by an internationally accepted socio-ecological model of health.

Part C. Fundamental knowledge of health science

This theme provides the knowledge and skills required for physiotherapy clinical practice. It includes biomedical and behavioural sciences as well as the theory of physiotherapy practice.

Part D. Applied practice

This theme develops clinical competencies for physiotherapy practice. It focuses on the incorporation of the best available research evidence with the clinical reasoning skills of assessment, management, evaluation and health care across the lifespan and across a spectrum of patient environments and circumstances.

Part E. Research

This theme provides opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills to locate, interpret and critically evaluate research relevant to physiotherapy practice.

This course comprises 192 points of prescribed physiotherapy study. The course develops through five themes that combine to underpin physiotherapy practice: personal and professional development; population, society and health; fundamental knowledge for health sciences; applied practice; and research. These themes are interwoven in the units throughout the course. The course progression map will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

Students complete:

• PTY1011 Physiotherapy 1 (24 points)
• PTY1022 Physiotherapy 2 (24 points)
• PTY2031 Physiotherapy 3 (24 points)
• PTY2042 Physiotherapy 4 (24 points)
• PTY2000 Honours systematic review
• PTY3051 Physiotherapy 5 (24 points)
• PTY3162 Physiotherapy 6A: clinical
• PTY3262 Physiotherapy 6B: clinical
• PTY3362 Physiotherapy 6C: clinical
• PTY3462 Clinical placement
• PTY3000 Honours research proposal
• PTY4171 Physiotherapy 7A: clinical
• PTY4172 Physiotherapy 7B: clinical
• PTY4281 Physiotherapy 8A: clinical
• PTY4282 Physiotherapy 8B: clinical
• PTY4283 Physiotherapy 8C: campus (24 points)
• PTY4000 Honours thesis (12 points)

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the Bachelor of Human Sciences, provided you have successfully completed at least 144 credit points of the program including the following units: PTY1011, PTY1022, PTY2031, PTY2042, PTY3051, PTY3162, PTY3262, PTY3362, PTY3462 (or equivalent level 3 units with permission).