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Unit of study_
PHTY1023: Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice A
2025 unit information
This unit sets the context of physiotherapy professional practice through an introduction to the issues and practices in healthcare delivery affecting physiotherapists, including relevant professional, state, and federal policies and laws related to professional conduct. The unit also examines the observation and measurement of normal movement using methods that are suitable for clinical application, including biomechanical analyses. The importance of reliable assessment/measurement is emphasised, and the validity and reliability of different procedures are studied. Students are taught and practice several basic but significantly important assessment techniques, including history taking (focused on musculoskeletal patients), general musculoskeletal screening, observation of normal movement, assessment of joint range of motion, muscle strength/weakness, and joint passive accessory movements. The importance of communication, documentation and respect for cultural differences in professional practice is addressed. Students are introduced to the concepts and principles of evidencebased practice.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Movement Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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BIOS1168 |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. explain the professional and ethical requirements of physiotherapy practice, and comply with the standards of practice and professional behaviour of an AHPRA registered physiotherapy student
- LO2. describe the regulatory requirements for physiotherapy in Australia
- LO3. describe physiotherapy with respect to its purpose, role, and contribution to health care using the International Classification of Functioning framework
- LO4. communicate effectively and professionally with clients, peers, and academic staff in physiotherapy contexts
- LO5. explain the pathology and clinical presentation of common soft tissue injuries presenting to physiotherapists
- LO6. explain the development of infection and the infection control process
- LO7. explain the basics of biomechanical principles and their application in assessments
- LO8. plan and safely perform a selected range of assessment skills on an individual with a musculoskeletal condition
- LO9. define and apply evidence-based practice (EBP) as it applies to physiotherapy practice and patient-centred care
- LO10. (critically) appraise a randomised clinical trial/systematic review in terms of the extent to which it informs the use of selected treatment modalities
- LO11. demonstrate critical reflection skills in physiotherapy contexts.
- LO12. develop an understanding of professional communication and how it will impact on your role as a health professional
- LO13. demonstrate skills in understanding and using professional oral English
- LO14. demonstrate skills in listening to and correctly recording in writing, information provided by a patient using professional written English
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
