Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Introduces the profession of physiotherapy. Issues of patients' rights & professional ethics & behaviour. Provides the student with basic vocabulary for describing human movement. Introduction to the clinical skills of communication, observation & palpation.
This course embeds its teaching within a client-centred International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework and uses an interprofessional perspective when addressing client management. The course material is presented to students in six blocks:
- Block 1 - Communication, Professionalism, and Ethics: Students are introduced to the physiotherapy profession, and issues such as patients’ rights, communication, client and family-centred practice, cultural and psychosocial factors, as well as, ethics and professionalism. It aims to help those entering a “helping” profession to develop their ability to empathise and crystallise their concept of caring. Formal tuition in verbal and non-verbal communication is included, and the concept of disability and the ICF framework are both introduced.
- Block 2 - Soft Tissue Mobilisation: Soft tissue mobilisation using therapeutic massage is covered as a foundation for developing competency in tissue palpation, manual handling, therapeutic intervention and developing skills in verbal and non-verbal communication in a therapeutic interaction. Practical application of the ICF for patient assessment and intervention and an introduction to basic clinical reasoning skills will be covered.ﾠ
- Block 3 - Introduction to Human Development: Human development and growth are presented in the context of physiotherapy, to understand the continuum of paediatric development, and implications of developmental processes for physiotherapy management.
- Block 4 - Introduction to Research: Concepts of research as they relate to physiotherapy practice are introduced. Students will learn how to access and become competent consumers of research literature to inform their practice. Elements of evidence based practice, research design, key elements of research methodologies and referencing methods will be covered in this block.ﾠ
- Block 5 - Physiotherapy and Cultural Awareness: Students explore cultural diversity and begin to understand cultural considerations in physiotherapy.
- Block 6 - Introduction to Human Movement: Students undertake simple movement observation and analysis, and commence learning practical skills orienting them towards the physiotherapist as an enabler of movement. The concept of "individual differences” is explored against a background of movement control.
Course requirements
Restrictions
BPhty (Hons) students
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Tutor
Mr Martin Collyer
Miss Amy Fagan
Ms Gabrielle Versace
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
A timetable will be provided on the PHTY1110 blackboard website. Any changes will be communicated via blackboard announcements. It is imperative that students regularly check their emails and blackboard announcements.
Aims and outcomes
1 To introduce students to the profession of physiotherapy and explore the current scope of physiotherapy practice, recognising the importance of Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds.
2 To introduce students to professional ethics.
3 To introduce students to the clinical skills of communication, observation and palpation as used in physiotherapy for diagnosis and treatment.
4 To introduce students to the study of therapeutic movement and the role of the physiotherapist as an enabler of movement.
5 To introduce students to the concept of evidence based practice and research in physiotherapy.
6 To introduce students to the concept and components of an interprofessional health care team.
7 To initiate student understanding of client/patient and family-centred care.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe the scope of physiotherapy as a profession and its role within the wider interprofessional health care team.
LO2.
Explain the principles of client/patient and family-centred care.
LO3.
Demonstrate an ethical approach to physiotherapy practice.
LO4.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in physiotherapy practice.
LO5.
Describe the range of individual differences in the human population and their effects on normal movement and tissue texture.
LO6.
Describe human development from birth to adulthood.
LO7.
Perform basic soft tissue mobilisation techniques in a proficient manner, including appropriate positioning of the physiotherapist and patient.
LO8.
Recognise the importance of responsibility for independent learning and apply reflection as a process to enhance learning.
LO9.
Access research into clinical practice, with a focus on evidence-based practice.
LO10.
Explain the impact of disability, psychosocial factors, and cultural diversity from the perspectives of both the client and the physiotherapist.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
End-of-semester Theory Exam
|
55% (Must Pass) |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
| Examination |
End of semester practical exam
|
30% Must Pass | |
| Reflection | Reflexivity assignment - culture & physiotherapy | 15% |
19/05/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
End-of-semester Theory Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 55% (Must Pass)
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Task description
A 90 minute written examination covering blocks 1-6 comprising of 90 marks (combination of short-answer and multiple choice). Number of marks allocated to each block will be approximately commensurate with the time dedicated to each block in the course outline. All course content is examinable, including content provided in online learning modules and workshops.
Exam will be centrally scheduled and will be undertaken on campus. It will be a closed book exam. More detail regarding the exam will be provided closer to the examination period.
This exam is worth 55% of the overall course grade and is a must-pass component. The overall pass mark for this exam is 55%.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Hurdle requirements
This is a must pass item.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
End of semester practical exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30% Must Pass
Task description
This is an end of semester practical exam that will be conducted during exam period. It will assess communication and soft tissue mobilisation. A detailed timetable for the practical examination, which will clearly tell you when and where to turn up, will be made available on Blackboard, well in advance of the examination. You will be required to wear full clinical uniform for your exam. Each student will be examined for 10 minutes (5 minutes each for x2 techniques) and you will be examined in partners. Each partner will be required to act as a patient for each others examination (total time in exam room 25-30 mins). Exam questions will be case based and examples will be provided during the soft tissue mobilisation practical classes.
This exam is worth 30% of the overall course grade and is a must-pass component. The overall pass mark for this exam is 55%.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Deferred exams can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam. Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - Deferring an exam. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Hurdle requirements
This is a must pass item.Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Reflexivity assignment - culture & physiotherapy
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
19/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
You will be orientated to the online collection of a local art gallery. For this assessment item, you will be asked to write a critical reflection about how one of the artworks can contribute to your understandings of the psychological, social, cultural and/or political aspects of being a physiotherapist. To do this, you will respond to a series of questions that ask you to identify: why you have selected that artwork; what the background of the artist is; and what the social, cultural and political aspects of the artwork are. Finally, you will be asked to discuss what you can learn from the art to help you be a better physiotherapist. The assignment will require you to use the content you have learnt in the ‘culture and physiotherapy’ module of the course. It will assess your ability to critically reflect. It will also assess your ability to write about complex concepts and apply them to physiotherapy practice.
A template for this assignment will be provided on Blackboard. The written summary is a maximum of 600 words. You must retain the formatting of the template (2.54 cm margins, size 12 font, Calibri, single line spacing).
This assignment is worth 15% of the overall course grade. The overall pass mark for this assignment is 55%.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Extensions can be requested for this assessment item. Please apply for an extension request via my.UQ > my.UQ Dashboard > my. Requests and provide evidence of circumstance, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission date. Further information regarding what constitutes an acceptable reason for an extension is listed on the my.UQ website: Applying for an extension - my.UQ - University of Queensland
Submission guidelines
This assignment must be submitted via Turnitin through Blackboard. Students should retain receipt (e.g. turnitin email confirmation or a screenshot) as evidence of timely submission to avoid late penalties. The Course Coordinator will not be monitoring Turnitin for missing submission at time of assignment due date.ﾠ
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 34 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative percentage from all assessment of ﾠ0 - 34% |
| 2 (Fail) | 35 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment of ﾠ35 - 44% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 54 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment of ﾠ45 - 54% A grade of 3 will be awarded to a student who achieves a final mark of 55% or higher but who does not pass the must pass assessment items noted below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 55 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment of 55 - 64% and ﾠhas passed all of the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment of ﾠ65 ﾠ- 74% ﾠand ﾠhas passed all of the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment of ﾠ75 ﾠ- 84% ﾠand ﾠhas passed all of the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A ﾠcumulative percentage from all assessment ofﾠ 85ﾠ - 100% ﾠand ﾠhas passed all of the 'must pass' assessment items as noted below. |
Additional course grading information
Final marks falling between whole percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. Tie-breaking will be conducted using the round half up method whereby half-way values are always rounded up, meaning, for example, that 89.5% and above will be rounded to 90% and 89.49% and below will be rounded down to 89%.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This course contains ‘must pass’ assessment items. You must pass ALL must pass assessment items to pass this course overall, i.e. even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher eachﾠindividual ‘must pass’ assessment items must have been passed. Must pass items for this course are the end of semester practical and theory exams.
In practical exams, students who demonstrate unsafe practices will automatically receive a fail grade.ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Due Times for Assessment
All assessment/exam times are scheduled in Australian Eastern Standard time. If you are not in Queensland, please ensure you take any time differences into account.
Resubmission/Resit of assessment items
The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences supports the concept of resubmission or resitting of failed assessment items in specific and defined circumstances. In this course, no items areﾠeligible for consideration of the resubmission/resitﾠoption.
Deferred exams
Students may be eligible for a deferred exam if there are exceptional or unavoidable circumstances, or as a one-off discretionary request. Deferred exam requests should be submitted as soon as possible, and no later than five calendar days after the date of the original exam.
Further details, including how to apply, can be found at - https://my.uq.edu.au/node/189/0#0. Please also email the Course Coordinator to advise of the deferred exam request.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When assessment is submitted through Blackboard you will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt.ﾠThis information will also be sent to your student e-mail account.ﾠPlease ensure you keep this email.
When assessment is submitted through Turnitin you will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
Other
Please note: Where an assessment item requires the student to "List 'x' number" of responses (for example, "List 2 potential causes" of a specified condition) only the first 'x' responses listed by the student will be assessed. Any further responses listed will not be assessed.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Lecture notes will generally be uploaded to blackboard prior to lectures, or shortly thereafter. Practical notes are provided for practicals. In addition, videos are provided for some practical content.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Lecture |
Block 1 Communication, professionalism & ethics |
Lecture |
Block 2 Physiotherapy & cultural awareness |
|
Lecture |
Block 3 Soft tissue mobilisation |
|
Lecture |
Block 4 Introduction to human development |
|
Lecture |
Block 5 Introduction to human movement |
|
Lecture |
Block 6 Introduction to research |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.