Overview

This unit examines the incidence and prevalence of disease and impairment with a focus on population health and delivery of physiotherapy within regional, rural and global contexts. Students will explore wellness across the lifespan in addition to chronic disease presentations such as diabetes and obesity. Students will also examine the role of physiotherapy in education, health promotion and management of age-related changes and chronic conditions across cultures, including Indigenous Australians. The roles of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), WHO and the Australian healthcare system will be evaluated to explore how agencies set priorities and advocate for change. The role of the national and international professional physiotherapy bodies will be explored as a voice for physiotherapy and advocacy for responsible healthcare.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PHT70005 Community Health Promotion and Chronic Disease

Rules

Pre-requisite
Admission into MA-PHYS - Master of Physiotherapy

OR

MA-PHYS1 - Master of Physiotherapy

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Term 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
26-February-2024
14-April-2024
Last self-enrolment date
26-February-2024
Census date
08-March-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
22-March-2024
Results released date
14-May-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Reflect and commentate on the history, cultural contribution, values and beliefs of Indigenous Australians to facilitate effective physiotherapy provision within an inter-disciplinary team or as a sole practitioner
  • Thoroughly investigate the contributing factors to functional impairments associated with aging and gerontology, and chronic disease presentations
  • Critically review the role of national and global healthcare systems in relation to physiotherapy provision to Indigenous Australians, within aged care and chronic disease
  • Proficiently devise comprehensive physiotherapy management plans that are inclusive of consumer needs and expectations within the context of diverse communities
  • Explore and examine physiotherapy intervention in rural, regional and global communities via case studies

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture
4.00 6 weeks 24
On-campus
Class
6.00 6 weeks 36
Specified Activities
Various
5.00 6 weeks 30
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
10.00 6 weeks 60
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Individual 30% 1,2,3,4,5 
Assignment 2Individual 30% 2,3,4 
ProjectGroup 40% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Indigenous Health (Inter-disciplinary curriculum):
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, beliefs and practices
  • Cultural safety in health care
  • Strengths-based knowledge and communication
  • Reconciliation Action Plans
  • Systematic and cultural sensitive assessment and treatment care plans that are patient/client centred and inclusive (I-CARE- Careful assessment; Action planned together; Respect evident management; Evaluation)
  • Physiotherapy in indigenous health

Aging:

  • Physiology and psychology of Aging
  • Research and evidence informed physiotherapy
  • Current and emerging Physiotherapy services
  • Australian and global health agencies and organisations
  • Barriers, enablers and models to facilitate active engagement

Healthcare in Rural, Regional and Global communities

  • Intersection between health and economics (i.e. obesity and diabetes)
  • Global and international agency in health

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.