96081 Professional Practice
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2019 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides students with fundamental knowledge of the physiotherapy profession with an emphasis on a range of professional skills such as communication, evidence-based practice, cultural competence, inter-professional practice, ethical practice and reflection. Students learn how to effectively search and appraise physiotherapy literature. Preparation for clinical placement is also embedded within this subject. The concept of continuing professional development and evidence collection by way of a professional portfolio is introduced and signposted as a significant component across the two-year program.
Knowledge gained in Professional Practice underpins the application of physiotherapy taught in all subsequent subjects.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 06. | Apply clinical reasoning to determine best physiotherapy care |
|---|---|
| 19. | Provide an evidence-based justification for intervention selection |
| 39. | Maintain professionalism in verbal and written communication |
| 40. | Engage in inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice |
| 44. | Educate physiotherapists and other health professionals including students |
| 53. | Evaluate own learning needs and direct own learning experiences |
| 54. | Reflect on, evaluate and document own performance and set SMART goals for further development as a graduate practitioner |
| 59. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
| 60. | Critique selected research |
| 61. | Formulate a research question |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Practice ready
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are knowledgeable, practice-readyclinicians, skilled in providing safe and effective evidence-based care to clientsacross the lifespan, using a wide range of therapeutic approaches includingskilled hands on practice, and in a variety of clinical settings as both independentand collaborative practitioners.
Research-enabled
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy effectively integrate research evidenceinto practice, are proactive in identifying gaps in knowledge and are competentto undertake research to advance the evidence base and inform futurephysiotherapy practice.
Professionally Competent
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy embody professional and ethical practice, maintaining knowledge and competence at local and global standards. Graduates embrace opportunities for leadership and advanced roles, utilise deliberate practice to optimise physiotherapy care and advocate for the profession in interdisciplinary contexts.
Person-centred
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are empathetic, person-centredpractitioners who empower client self-management and endorse preventativecare by forming and valuing partnerships with individuals, families andcommunities.
Culturally Competent
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to physiotherapy practice with indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
In addition, this Subject contributes to achievement of the following course learning outcomes:
Research-enabled
Apply scientific research skills to advance the evidence base supporting physiotherapy practice
Client focus
Provide empathetic, compassionate and respectful patient-focused care, facilitating client self-management, advocating for best-practice care and empowering clients by education
Critical thinker
Critically analyses the research evidence underpinning practice and effectively applies new knowledge to practice, conducts and disseminate high quality research to improve professional knowledge and influence direction of future practice
Ethical Practitioner
Embody the physiotherapy profession, demonstrating globally relevant ethical and professional behaviour and social accountability, while utilising deliberate critical analysis, self-reflection and self-awareness to constantly improve practice
Communication
Communicate effectively using high level interpersonal skills in both traditional modes of communication and when integrating advances in technology and methods of intervention delivery into patient care
Teamwork/leadership
Engage in leadership and collaboration, representing the profession in inter-professional teams and seeking advanced practitioner roles to ensure the future vitality of the profession
Indigenous awareness
Demonstrate respect and value for diverse ways of knowing, being and doing, in particular recognising the diversity of Indigenous Australians and their health and wellbeing and integrating this knowledge into practice
Teaching and learning strategies
Prep work
Prep work is undertaken prior to masterclasses and workshops. Prep work can include watching a video, reading a blog entry/website/textbook chapter/journal article/magazine article and/or listening to a podcast/video/interview. Questions often accompany the prep work so students read with intent which encourages deep reading. Content covered in the prep work is strongly linked to content covered in the masterclasses and workshops. Please ensure prep work is carried out so that you have spent some time accessing and making sense of ideas. Attending the masterclasses and workshops will allow you to test these ideas and receive feedback from your teachers and peers which will further consolidate your learning. Your knowledge and understanding of the prep work will be tested and applied using quizzes, group discussions and practical activities in masterclasses and workshops.
Masterclasses
Masterclasses are conducted in groups of 60 or more. There is usually a presentation of content by the teacher followed by activities which build on the prep work and the content presented. These activities are varied and require students to work alone, work in pairs or work in groups of 3 or more.
Examples of these activities include short quizzes and group discussions. Group discussions often involve addressing an issue related to any aspect of professional practice. All activities are facilitated by the teacher. Feedback is provided by the teacher where there is discrepancy in the knowledge and understanding of the content or disagreement in opinions between groups. Feedback can also be provided by peers.
Workshops
Workshops are conducted in groups of 25-35. These activities are varied and often require students to work in pairs or work in groups of 3 or more. Examples of these activities include simulated role play of patients in case studies, group discussions, debates and a brainstorming session covering many aspects of physiotherapy practice. The content of feedback will cover professionalism, communication, thoughts and interactions. Feedback can also be provided by peers.
Content (topics)
An introduction to the Threshold Competencies (PPTAANZ, 2015) will lead into an exploration of mandatory professional skills such as communication, evidence-based practice, research appraisal, cultural competence, ethical and legal practice and reflection. Students will also develop an understanding of person-centred care, scope of practice and shared decision-making within an inter-professional team. Preparation for clinical placement will also be embedded within this subject to complement the Clinical Simulation weeks. The concept of continuing professional development and evidence collection by way of a professional portfolio will also be introduced and signposted as a significant component of the 2-year programme.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Portfolio task
| Intent: | This assessment task enables students to develop knowledge and understanding of the roles of the PPTAANZ. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 39, 40 and 53 |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 12 minutes + 3 minutes of questions |
| Criteria: | Please refer to UTSOnline for the marking criteria rubric for this assessment task. |
Assessment task 2: Professional communication task
| Intent: | This task provides students with the opportunity to solve ethical issues that they may be confronted with as physiotherapists. Graduate attributes: Practice ready, research enabled, professionally competent, person-centred, culturally competent? |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 39, 40 and 54 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | 5 minutes (maximum) |
| Criteria: | Please refer to UTSOnline for the marking criteria rubric for this assessment task. |
Assessment task 3: Evidence-based decision making
| Intent: | This task provides students with the opportunity to appraise literature, make evidence-based clinical decisions in diagnosis and treatment, and demonstrate an understanding of qualitative/quantitative data gathering techniques. All content from weeks 9-13 will be assessed. Graduate attributes: Practice ready, research enabled, professionally competent, person-centred, culturally competent |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 06, 19, 39, 40, 44, 60 and 61 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 120 minutes |
| Criteria: | Please refer to UTSOnline for the marking criteria rubric for this assessment task. |
Minimum requirements
Requirements to pass the subject
In order to pass the subject, you are required to
- complete all assessments items, and
- achieve an overall grade of ≥ 50.
- attend a minimum of 85% of classes
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Recommended texts
Berglund, C (2012) Ethics for Healthcare Australia: Oxford University Press
Higgs J, Ajjawii R, McAllister L, Trede F and Loftus S (2012) Communicating in the Health
Sciences (3rd edition) Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Higgs J, Smith M, Webb G & Skinner M (2009) Contexts of Physiotherapy Practice Sydney: Elsevier
Moon, J (2004) A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice New York: Routledge Falmer
Porter, S (ed.) (2017) Psychologically-informed Physiotherapy London: Elsevier
Verhagen A & Alessie J (2018) Evidence based diagnostics of musculoskeletal disorders in primary care Houten: Springer.
