BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Integrated Health Sciences

This module aims to provide:

• An introduction to the fundamental scientific principles of Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, Human movement, Biomechanics, Disease and Injury as applicable to Physiotherapy practice.
• An understanding of the importance of biopsychosocial frameworks for Physiotherapy and the wider health and care environment.
• Descriptions of key integrated physiological systems that affect human performance across the age continuum, specifically with reference to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
• Description of body systems and structures in relation to health and disease, including mental health, and how function is impacted by disease and injury.

Professional Skills and Identity

This module aims to provide an understanding of the Professional Values, Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours necessary to become a professional practitioner as articulated in the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s definition of Physiotherapy. These include:

• Physiotherapy Values regardless of role, setting or level of practice.
• Physiotherapy Knowledge within a continually evolving scope of practice shaped by demands and context of practice environment.
• Physiotherapy Practice Skills utilised in conjunction with Values and Knowledge that continually evolve.
• Generic Behaviours, Knowledge and Skills that are applicable to the safe and effective delivery of Physiotherapy.

Understanding Evidence Based Practice

The module will underpin professional practice and later research modules, aiming to provide:

• An appreciation of the importance of evidence-based practice for health and care professionals.
• An understanding of methods of enquiry that are utilised in research and practice, how data are analysed, and how results are presented, interpreted, and how research informs professional practice.
• An ability to evaluate research, using standardise research appraisal tools, and to make appropriate professional judgements, particularly when evidence is lacking or contradictory.
• The development of research skills which will support and underpin programme and professional practice, and further research activities withing the programme.

Applied Clinical Sciences

This module aims to build on your previous learning and to provide:

• Relevant practical knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics and associated practical skills pertinent to Physiotherapy practice.
• An analysis of basic functional movements and how anatomical and physiological structures contribute to functional movement
• An understanding of how the examination of musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems are impacted by aging, disease and injury.

Principles of Rehabilitation

This module aims to provide:

• An introduction to relevant principles, knowledge, practical skills and approaches necessary for the assessment and treatment commonly used in rehabilitation.
• An understanding of the need to work in partnership with people, and others involved, to identify and maximise their ability to move and function, and to enable individuals to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
• Knowledge and skills to identify what is limiting an individual’s movement and function, and to help individuals decide how to address their needs.
• An understanding of the underlying science of rehabilitation, based on approaches that are evidence-based, person-centred, ethical and effective.

Practice Placement 1

Practice education placements 1 offers a first exposure, for many students, to a clinical environment and opportunity for practice learning as a student physiotherapist on the Physiotherapy BSc programme.

It is recognised, that for many individuals, the first clinical placement can be a challenging experience, the placement will be preceded by placement preparation, which will include opportunities for students to appreciate responsibilities associated with clinical practice and to contextualise much of the learning from the programme.

Placement Preparation will also include an introduction to the ‘Time for Dementia’ initiative.

The placement will be marked using the CPAF L4 assessment tool and feedback provided to inform and support ongoing learning and future clinical placements.

Critical Enquiry for Health

This module will build on research skills acquired during the Understanding of Evidence Based Practice Module, and previous learning, to enable the undertaking and completion of a research study at Honours level.

This module is designed to support the understanding of research methods necessary to be able to formulate an appropriate research question, design a study with the capability to answer that research question, and to present this as a correctly formatted and appropriately presented research proposal.

The module will use published physiotherapy and sports medicine research to drive the discussion regarding the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

To prepare for an Ethics Committee submission, where appropriate, research governance training will be provided.

Optimising Function 1

This module aims to provide:

• Further development of principles, knowledge, practical skills and approaches necessary for assessment and treatment approaches commonly used with individuals with cardio-vascular, respiratory and neurological diseases.
• Understanding of the need to work in partnership with individuals, and others involved, to identify and optimise function, and to enable individuals to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
• Knowledge and skills to identify what is limiting an individual’s function, and to help individuals decide how to address their needs with a focus on optimising function.
  A systematic understanding of the underlying science of cardio-vascular, neurological, respiratory and other related conditions, based on approaches that are evidence-based, person-centred, ethical and effective.

Practice Placement 2 & 3

Practice education placements 2 & 3 aims to offer you further exposure to clinical environments and opportunity for practice learning. Specifically in relation to:

• Developing effective and appropriate professional behaviours specifically to enable students to work within and to define appropriate scope of practice
• Justify appropriate assessment and management interventions within the practice placement context, with reference to evidence-based knowledge
• Critically evaluate role, benefits and limitations of physiotherapy with reference to current evidence-based practice
• Demonstrating ability to plan, deliver, modify/progress and evaluate therapeutic management
• Write concise and accurate ongoing physiotherapy records in accordance with medico-legal and ethical requirements

The emphasis for development on these clinical modules is continuing development of professional behaviour, communication and team working skills. You will be expected to demonstrate awareness of aspects of professional practice, under direct supervision from a qualified Physiotherapist.

You will draw upon previous modules and learning to integrate and reflect on theoretical knowledge and skills, and how these impact clinical practice.

During these two placements, there is a specific focus on NHS core values. Graduate employability is enhanced by gaining an understanding and demonstrating how each value of the NHS constitution applies in everyday work across all healthcare settings.

You will document your understanding and examples of the value in practice as part of your reflective portfolio and discuss these with an academic tutor during and post-placement.

Finally, you will be expected to present with exemplary professional behaviours learned at the level 4 “Professional Skills and Identity” and guidance from the HCPC and CSP.

These two placements will be marked using the CPAF L5 assessment tool and feedback provided to inform and support ongoing learning and future clinical placements.

Optimising Function 2

This module aims to provide:

• Further development of principles, knowledge, practical skills and approaches necessary for assessment and treatment approaches commonly used with individuals with Neuromusculoskeletal presentations and those from distinct populations and settings
• Understanding of the need to work in partnership with individuals, and others involved, to identify and optimise function, and to enable individuals to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
• Knowledge and skills to identify what is limiting an individual’s function, and to help individuals decide how to address their needs with a focus on optimising function.
• A systematic understanding of the underlying science of Neuromusculoskeletal conditions including consideration of the needs of individuals from distinct populations, based on approaches that are evidence-based, person-centred, ethical and effective.

Population Health

This module aims to provide:

• An overview of the theoretical and pragmatic context of public health will identify the potential role and contribution of physical activity within population health services and programmes.
• Wider determinants of Public/Population health, health improvement, population healthcare and health protection, including the role of Psychosocial and Mental Health as determinants of health outcomes.
• An orientation of students towards key examples of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in public health, including health economics, “green exercise”, and modelling.
• Reference to classic studies and literature, as well as contemporary research and population health theory

Contemporary Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy

This module aims to provide:

• An opportunity to explore, in depth, contemporary rehabilitation approaches in Physiotherapy practice.
• An opportunity to further develop knowledge, skills and understanding of working in traditional and non-traditional settings
• An opportunity to revisit and refine previously covered theory and practice.
• An appreciation of working across professional boundaries and within an expanded scope of practice.

Leadership, Change Management & Quality Improvement

This module aims to provide:

• An overview and critical analysis of Contemporary Leadership theories, concepts and practical application.
• An overview and critical analysis of Change Management and the role of continuous Quality Improvement at Local, Regional, National and Global levels.
• A link between Leadership, Quality Improvement and Change Management.
• An overview of current Government policy e.g. Darzi reports and NHS Long Term Plan.

Practice Placements 4 & 5

Practice education placements 4 & 5 aim to offer students further exposure to clinical environments and an opportunity for practice learning. Specifically in relation to:

• Developing effective professional behaviours
• Justifying and planning evidence-based interventions to a wide range of individuals with health and care needs
• Working effectively in wide range of traditional and non-traditional settings
• Critically evaluating multiple sources of clinical and research information
• Writing concise and accurate physiotherapy records

The emphasis for development on these clinical modules is consolidation of professional behaviours, communication and team working skills. You will be expected to demonstrate well developed professional practice values, skills and behaviours under supervision from a qualified Physiotherapist or other health or care professional. There is an expectation that you will demonstrate increasing independence with appropriate professional judgement.

You will draw upon previous modules and learning to integrate and reflect on theoretical knowledge and skills, and how these impacts on clinical practice.

During these two placements, there is a continued focus on NHS core values. Graduate employability is enhanced by gaining an understanding and demonstrating how each value of the NHS constitution applies in everyday work across all healthcare settings and how these are reflected in the University of Chichester’s Graduate attributes.

You will document your understanding and examples of the value in practice as part of your reflective portfolio and discuss these with an academic tutor during and post-placement.

Finally, you will be expected to present with exemplary professional behaviours learned at the level 4 “Professional Skills and Identity” and guidance from the HCPC and CSP.

These two placements will be marked using the CPAF L6 assessment tool and feedback provided to inform and support ongoing learning and future clinical placements and transition to professional practice.

Transition to Professional Practice

This module aims to provide:

• Opportunity to experience, demonstrate and achieve competence in knowledge, skills and attributes required for making the transition to becoming a professional physiotherapy practitioner.
• Guidance on early professional career development and progression.
• Opportunity to consider transition planning.
• On-call, weekend and working in acute setting guidance
• Support with lifelong learning and Continued Professional Development (CPD)

Critical Evaluation for Health

During this module, you will engage in independent learning supported by lectures and supervision, which will enable you to consider and meet the module learning outcomes.

You will have identified your own learning needs specifically in relation to being able to better understand, critique and evaluate literature, and other sources of information, to inform your practice across components of physiotherapy practice, having successfully completed Critical Enquiry for Health – research methods module.

You will build on your previous research learning and will plan and complete your research project detailed in your research protocol.

As part of the process, you will be expected to compile and maintain a research portfolio, normally as a secure electronic document e.g., as part of your ePortfolio. Supervisors will be provided with appropriate access, where they will detail the research processes undertaken and where they will provide evidence e.g., approval from an appropriate ethics committee, participant information, consent forms, risk assessment, and data.

The research portfolio is an important source of information that will describe, implicitly, your research journey and will be required as part of the module completion and research governance requirements.