Overview

This unit provides students with the knowledge, practical clinical skills and contemporary evidence to effectively assess, treat and manage individuals from diverse backgrounds who have orthopaedic and musculoskeletal presentations. This unit develops clinical reasoning that underlies the differential diagnosis of common musculoskeletal conditions based on the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model utilising validated outcome measures focusing on peripheral joints. Students will link their assessment to evidence-based intervention strategies that includes a focus on exercise.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PHT60003 Exercise and Acute Musculoskeletal Conditions

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
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate and synthesise current research evidence underpinning the differential diagnosis, assessment and intervention of musculoskeletal conditions and post-surgical orthopaedic presentations
  • Select, safely perform and justify appropriate and safe physiotherapy assessments for people with musculoskeletal and post-surgical orthopaedic presentations
  • Apply effective clinical reasoning to analyse and explain the findings of assessments and produce prioritised problem lists and person-centred goals relevant to people with musculoskeletal and post-surgical orthopaedic presentations
  • Safely perform, evaluate and justify evidence-informed and person-centred physiotherapy interventions, for musculoskeletal and post-surgical orthopaedic presentations within interdisciplinary contexts
  • Use appropriate outcome measures to evaluate and develop clinical reasoning with regards to the management of post-surgical and acute musculoskeletal conditions
  • Interpret and effectively communicate clinical information to clients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members from diverse backgrounds to enhance understanding, inclusivity, and engagement in the therapeutic process

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Lecture
2.00  12 weeks  24
On-campus
Lab
3.00  12 weeks  36
Specified Activities
Various
2.50  12 weeks  30
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
5.00  12 weeks  60
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Individual  30%  1,2,3,5
Practical Examination Individual  30%  2,3,4,5
Practical and Oral Examination Individual  40%  1,2,3,4,5

Content

  • Type, mode and progression of exercise prescription 
  • Introduction to common musculoskeletal and post operative orthopaedic presentations 
  • Radiological features of common musculoskeletal and post operative orthopaedic presentations Verbal and written communication skills and goal-oriented framework of subjective examination 
  • Evaluation of contemporary research evidence to inform the management of musculoskeletal and post operative orthopaedic presentations
  • Introduction to technology that supports clinical assessment and management of musculoskeletal and post operative orthopaedic presentations
  • Physiotherapy interventions, including exercise prescription, manual therapy, and advanced technologies 
  • Inter-disciplinary short- and long-term goal setting 
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

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