Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (27/01/2025 - 28/02/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
With supervised practice, students will develop the core competencies and ethical and professional behaviours necessary to function as a physiotherapy clinician in a specified area.
The course aims to provide students with core competencies in the physiotherapy clinical management of patients presenting in a range of settings and services while demonstrating appropriate professional behaviours. There is an emphasis on the rehabilitation of patients, across the lifespan, presenting with a variety of conditions involving theﾠmusculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and nervous systems. Using contemporary clinical education models, students will develop skills in assessment, critical analysis, clinical reasoning, intervention planning, and evaluation, appropriate to the area of practice. Students are required to integrate foundation biomedical and behavioural knowledge, physical and technical skills, and the applied skills of evidence based practice to allow the development of entry-level physiotherapy competencies while also developing UQ graduate attributes. The course promotes the understanding of appropriate professional ethical and social attitudes, interprofessional roles and facilitates the development of effective and appropriate communication. Course experiences are undertaken during a five week block of supervised fulltime clinical practice in one of a variety of recommended practice settings.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Successful completion of pre-clinical courses and PHTY7881
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
PHTY7280, PHTY7881, PHTY7813, PHTY7814, HRSS7101
Restrictions
MPhtySt
Course contact
Lecturer
Course staff
Field coordinator
Dr Michael Donovan
Ms Ruth Dunwoodie
Timetable
Additional timetable information
Timetables are dependent on the respective clinical immersion and will be provided to the student by the Clinical Education Liaison Managers and the Clinical Educators.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to:
(1) Develop physiotherapy competencies which reflect entry level standards for the physiotherapy profession.
(2) Integrate and apply theoretical knowledge, skills, attributes, behaviours and technical learning underpinned by the pre-clinical curriculum, in the management of a wide range of clinical problems - including complex presentations - across the lifespan.
(3) Emphasise the involvement of the physiotherapist in the development of effective, comprehensive, management plans for the delivery of competent services to clients in a variety of settings, within a framework of the health team, holistic care and optimization of health.
(4) Encourage the use of inter-professional learning and multi-professional practice.
(5) Develop student familiarisation with workplace health and safety, emergency procedures and equity policies in that specific workplace during induction.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Appropriately, safely, accurately, systematically and efficiently assess a client to determine and prioritise problems.
LO2.
Gather and interpret appropriate data related to the patient.
LO3.
Demonstrate an appropriate process of clinical reasoning in making decisions related to the client such as developing a hypothesis, determining patient outcomes.
LO4.
Apply problem solving skills such as critical thinking and judgment in the development of a treatment plan and in the selection and evaluation of specific interventions.
LO5.
Develop and implement an effective and safe evidence-based physiotherapy intervention plan that is appropriate for the individual and prioritized in order to address assessment findings, while aiming to achieve client treatment goals.
LO6.
Demonstrate an understanding of the presentation and management of a wide range of clinical problems across the lifespan.
LO7.
Demonstrate an understanding of underlying principles and concepts of physiotherapy practice.
LO8.
Demonstrate safe and effective intervention.
LO9.
Demonstrate technical skill in the application of assessment and treatment techniques.
LO10.
Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions by using appropriate re-evaluation and/or valid and reliable outcome measures.
LO11.
Demonstrate ethical and professional decision making and behaviour.
LO12.
Demonstrate a range of effective communication skills including verbal, nonverbal and written applied to all aspects of practice including interactions with clients, professionals and record keeping.
LO13.
Demonstrate an holistic approach to physiotherapy management of patients, acknowledging individual differences.
LO14.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of patient goal-setting and self-management for return to function, work and leisure activities.
LO15.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the roles of other disciplines and participate as a member of an interdisciplinary/multiprofessional team including delegation to staff under physiotherapy supervision.
LO16.
Demonstrate the integration of evidence based knowledge into the clinical setting.
LO17.
Gain an appreciation of the diverse roles of physiotherapists and scope of physiotherapy practice.
LO18.
Demonstrate an ability to reflect on own professional development and physiotherapy practice.
Assessment
Assessment summary
Non-block / stream assessments
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement |
Continuous assessment: professional performance
|
30% Compulsory pass | |
| Placement |
Continuous assessment: clinical performance
|
70% Compulsory pass | |
| Placement |
Continuous assessment of professional performance
|
Formative assessment |
Assessment details
Non-block / stream assessments
Continuous assessment: professional performance
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- 30% Compulsory pass
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
Students will assess and provide physiotherapy management for clients over a five week full-time immersion in a variety of settings. Students' performance of their professional behaviour and communication will be assessed on a continuous basis across the immersion using ongoing observation of student/client interactions and assessment of student's knowledge, skills and professional behaviour against the Australian Physiotherapy Council Standards for an Entry-level physiotherapist.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Continuous assessment: clinical performance
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- 70% Compulsory pass
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
Students will assess and provide physiotherapy management for clients over a five week full-time immersion in a variety of settings. Students' performance of their ability to to perform assessment, analysis and planning, apply intervention, using an appropriate evidence base and risk management strategies will be assessed on a continuous basis across the immersion using ongoing observation of student/client interactions and assessment of student's knowledge, skills and professional behaviour against the Australian Physiotherapy Council Standards for an Entry-level physiotherapist.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Continuous assessment of professional performance
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- Formative assessment
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
The purpose of formative assessment is to improve the quality of learning by providing information on strengths and weaknesses and to help identify strategies for improvement. Formative assessment is designed to help students understand how they are progressing. This type of assessment typically occurs throughout a clinical immersion and can be in many forms. It may be informal or as part of structured feedback.
During clinical immersions formal formative feedback occurs at the mid immersion point. Students are expected to contribute to this process and engage in dialogue about their current performance and how they could develop their skills further in the remainder of the placement. Feedback is intended to improve learning and subsequent clinical practice. Development of skill will only occur if students incorporate feedback into practice during clinical immersions.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: Students must achieve a passing grade for the clinical immersion. Students who fail an immersion will fail the course overall and will be required to repeat the course in the next semester that it is offered. Refer to the Assessment Process for using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) Tool, accompanying Clinical Performance Standards and the Criteria for Passing Grade as defined below. These are available on Blackboard. A score for the immersion is gained by converting the APP score (usually out of 80) to a percentage for allocation of a non-graded pass or fail. In order to pass a clinical immersion the APP final immersion score must record the student has obtained the following: 1. Gain total score of 50% or above, and 2. Score 50% or more for the total of items 1-6, and 3. Score 50% or more for the total of items 7-20, and 4. Obtain Global Rating Score of ADEQUATE or better. Clinical educators will submit their recommended end immersion APP scores on APPLinkup. The FINAL decision regarding the result associated with the relevant clinical course will be made by the course coordinator in consultation with the field coordinators. |
| F |
Course grade description: Refer to the Assessment Process for using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) Tool, accompanying Clinical Performance Standards and the Criteria for Passing Grade as defined below. These are available on Blackboard. A score for the immersion is gained by converting the APP score (usually out of 80) to a percentage for allocation of a non-graded pass or fail. In order to fail a clinical immersion the APP final immersion score must record the student has NOT obtained the following: 1. Gain total score of 50% or above, and 2. Score 50% or more for the total of items 1-6, and 3. Score 50% or more for the total of items 7-20, and 4. Obtain Global Rating Score of ADEQUATE or better. |
Additional course grading information
Students must achieve aﾠpassing gradeﾠfor the clinical immersion. Students who fail an immersion will fail the course overall and will be required to repeat the course in the next semester that it is offered.
Refer to the Assessment Process for using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) Tool, accompanying Clinical Performance Standards and the Criteria for Passing Grade as defined below. These are availableﾠon Blackboard. A score for the immersion is gained by converting theﾠAPP score (usually out of 80) to a percentage for allocation of a grade as above.
In order to pass a clinical immersion the APP final immersion score must record the student has obtained the following:
- Gain total score of 50% or above, and
- Score 50% or more for the total of items 1-6, and
- Score 50% or more for the total ofﾠitems 7-20, and
- Obtain Global Rating Score of ADEQUATE or better
Clinical educators will submit their recommended end immersion APP scores on APPLinkup. The FINAL decision regarding the result associated with the relevant clinical course will be made by the course coordinator in consultation with the field coordinators.
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%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Resubmission/Resit of Assessment Items:ﾠA resit or resubmission of assessment items is not available for this course.
Failure to Attend:ﾠFailure to attend an allocated clinical placement session may result in a failing grade for the associated course.ﾠStudents are referred to the ECP Section 6, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Guidelines - Failure to attend single / multiple clinical placement sessions for further information.ﾠ
Use of Generative AI in Student Placements
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) are 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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
OHS Requirements:
It is necessary to have read the relevant risk assessments for clinical placements, which can be found in theﾠUQ Risk Management Database.
#4360: SHRS-CELM-Clinical Placements (International-Developed Countries)
#4359: SHRS-CELM-Clinical Placements (International-Developing Countries)
#4358: SHRS-CELM-Clinical Placements (Domestic-Metropolitan Region)
#4357: SHRS-CELM-Clinical Placements (Domestic-Rural, Remote and Interstate)
Students are also referred to theﾠOHS Risk Management websiteﾠfor information and guidance on how to use and navigate the database.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
All student activities
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Placement |
Full-time Physiotherapy Practice Immersion Professional Practice: Students will experience a five week full-time immersion in an appropriate physiotherapy workplace setting under the supervision of a clinical educator. They will assess, develop management plans, deliver interventions, and continually re-assess clients in the setting. They will develop and integrate knowledge, skills and professional physiotherapy behaviours required to function as an entry-level physiotherapist. |
Additional learning activity information
Learning in clinical and professional experiences is experiential in nature requiring mandatory attendance. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and use adult learning methods. Self-reflection related to clinical reasoning and professional development is encouraged and expected.
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 - 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: