Physiotherapy Specialities: Cardiothoracics (PHTY3250)

Course overview

Development of professional competencies in the areas of assessment & clinical management of patients with cardiorespiratory conditions

This course aims to develop students' knowledge and skills in the area of cardiothoracic physiotherapy, enabling attainment of entry-level competenciesﾠin preparation for clinical practice.ﾠFocus will be on the physiotherapy assessment and management of people with acute and chronic cardiorespiratory conditions across the lifespan and in a range of settings, including those who present pre- and post-operatively (abdominal, thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgical procedures) and those in the intensive care setting. Management includes: airway clearance, strategies to improve lung volume and ventilation, mobilisation and critical care (e.g., suction, manual hyperinflation).ﾠ

Course delivery includes a variety of learning modes: lectures, skills-teaching 'how to' lectures (with video footage of practical techniques), practicals, case discussion sessions, Standardised Patients (SP) role-playing sessions (clinical simulations), workbook activities, Independent Learning Packagesﾠ(ILP) and online Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) packages. These approaches are designed to facilitate students'ﾠunderstanding of theory and rationale, and support competent performance of physiotherapy assessment (patient interview, physical examination) and management (including facilitation of ventilation and airway clearance).

This course aims to facilitate students to develop a problem-solving approach to formulate appropriate, evidence-basedﾠassessment and management plans for individuals with cardiorespiratory conditions across the lifespan. The role of the physiotherapist in the multiprofessional team is explored through case studies and clinical simulations. In addition, students may have the opportunity to practice delegation of tasks to assistants.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Students entering this course will have completed all PHTY-coded courses across the prior 5 semesters in the undergraduate physiotherapy program. Specifically, the following provide necessary background information on which to build knowledge in PHTY3250:

Anatomy: Respiratory, thoracic, cardiac, vascular;

BIOL1007: Infection control;

PHTY1221: Cardiovascular system, exercise testing and prescription;

PHYL2062: Respiratory and cardiac components: Respiratory Function Testing (procedures, analysis), ABG analysis, ECG analysis;

PHTY2101: Orthopaedics and pathology components.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

PHTY3130, PHTY3140

Restrictions

BPhty Students

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

• PHTY7825

PHTY7825

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please see the PHTY3250 Blackboard site for timetable information.

Aims and outcomes

For students to:

1. Demonstrate competencies in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy which reflect professional entry level standards.ﾠ
2. Integrate and apply knowledge, skills, attributes and behaviours in theﾠeffectiveﾠassessment andﾠmanagement of people with respiratory, cardiac and/or surgical conditions, across the lifespan.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

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

In Semester Theory Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

25%

Due date

9/09/2025

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Workbook

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Portfolio

Weight

5% Pass/Fail

Due date

22/10/2025

Submit to the Educator at the start of your usual practical class, for peer mark during class.

Other conditions

Peer assessed.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit hardcopy of Workbook to the Educator at the start of your usual practical class, for peer mark during class.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension of assessment due date must be made online, via your my.UQ portal prior to the submission date and time. Late applications may not be accepted. The request must also contain documentation satisfactorily supporting the request. If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date for submission provided by your course coordinator.

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.

End of Semester Viva Examination

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Examination

Weight

30% MUST PASS

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

End of Semester Practical Examination

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Examination

Weight

40% MUST PASS

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Please see the Assessment tab on Blackboard for information about this assessment item.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

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%.

NOTE: 70% of the assessment for this course is timed at the end of semester (Viva = 30%, Practical = 40%).

NOTE: This course contains ‘MUST PASS’ assessment items, as follows: End of Semester Viva, and End Semester Practical. You must pass these items to pass this course overall, i.e. even if your final percentage mark is 55% or higher the individual ‘MUST PASS’ assessment items must have been passed.

There is a "safety fail" element in the End Semester Practical assessment. A mark of "fail" in the safety criterion for a component will result in a fail for that component of the exam.

Where an assessment item requires the student to "List 'x' number" of responses (for example,ﾠ"List 4ﾠcontraindications" to a specified technique)ﾠonly the first 'x' responses listed by the student will be assessed. Any further responses listed will not be assessed.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Resubmission/Resit of Assessment Items

No assessment items are eligble for Resubmission/Resit.ﾠ

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. Please also email the Course Coordinator as soon as possible (ideally, prior to the exam).ﾠ

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 throughﾠBlackboardﾠyou 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:ﾠhttps://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

Submittingﾠassessment in Inspera

Inspera Assessment may be used in PHTY3250 - Physiotherapy Specialities: Cardiothoracics. The assessment item(s) could include a non-invigilated/invigilated on-campus andﾠdigital assessmentﾠand students in this course will complete/submitﾠthese assessmentsﾠusing their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support are available https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/assessments-inspera. Further information will be provided in the Blackboard site for this course, and practice opportunities will be available throughout the semester.

Use of AI in Student Placements or assessment with direct client contact

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude) is increasingly used in society. In terms of clinical placements, students are not permitted to use AI unless explicitly indicated by the provider that this use is permitted, and the parameters of use are clear. If these are not explicit, students are expected to consult with their practice educators before implementation to determine the acceptability of generative AI use and ensure that any potential risks associated with the intended use are addressed. AI is not a replacement of, or substitute for, professional reasoning or clinical skills. Human oversight is essential in its use, and to employ generative AI effectively and responsibly, students must understand how AI works, including its functions, data storage methods, and its impact on adherence to professional codes of conduct. 

If used on placement, students are responsible for any outputs generated by AI, such as clinical notes and reports, and will be held accountable for the actions of any AI that is used in clinical practice. This responsibility includes ensuring adherence to the relevant profession's code of conduct and ethical standards. Transparency about generative AI use is essential in placement environments. Students must follow the relevant policies and procedures of their placement provider. Students are reminded that they need to demonstrate their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the relevant profession, operate within its scope of practice, and ensure that client/patient privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times. Under no circumstances should identifiable clinical information be uploaded to open or external AI platforms, as it is unethical and irresponsible.

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

An Equipment Library (via the Student Unit desk, Level 3, Therapies Building) is available for students to loan practical equipment for independent practice. Details about the Equipment Library (including catalogue, loan periods) are available on the Blackboard site for PHTY3250. *Please note, some respiratory items may not be available for loan due to infection control practices; instead, additional opportunities for supervised practice within practical classes are integrated into the curriculum.ﾠ

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• Resources for Current Students