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Unit of study_

PHTY2059: PT in Musculoskeletal Conditions B

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study, along with its companion unit PHTY2058 builds on competencies around professional identity, technical skills, communication, and patient centered care that were acquired and demonstrated in the foundation musculoskeletal units. Students will develop competencies in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking supported by the use of case studies that focus on assessment and management of commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions of the cervical spine and upper limbs in a primary care setting. Students will use a framework for management of musculoskeletal conditions that is consistent with widely endorsed clinical practice guidelines and uses a pragmatic evidence-based approach to patient care. In-depth learning modules in this unit include principles of risk stratification, guideline-based management planning, and epidemiology

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHTY2059
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
PHTY2058
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrew Leaver, andrew.leaver@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Technical skills assessment
Competency assessment
20% Week 05 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO7 LO9
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Final exam
Written exam with non-written elements
60% Week 11
Due date: 26 Oct 2021 at 09:00
48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Skills-based evaluation Technical skills assessment
Competency assessment
20% Week 11 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO9 LO7 LO6 LO4
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

 

  • Technical skills assessment 20%: Practical examination demonstration of technical skills. You must complete this assessment task to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete this assessment item will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
  • Technical skills assessment 20%: Practical examination demonstration of technical skills. You must complete this assessment task to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete this assessment item will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.
  • Final exam 60%: Take home exam (Type E) Extended respomse answers. You must complete this assessment task to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete this assessment item will result in you being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of your cumulative marks in the unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Introduction to neck pain Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Cervical spine assessment: revision of key principles and application to the neck Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO10
Week 01 Neck pain: triage and classification Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Physical examination to classify a patient with neck pain Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 02 Neck pain: risk stratification and management Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Assessing risk of disability and providing first line care for patients with neck pain Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 03 1. Assessment and treatment of segmental mobility impairment using manual therapy; 2. Assessment and treatment of motor control impairment using specific stabilising exercises Tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9
1. Neck pain: assessment and treatment of impairments (manual therapy); 2. Neck pain: assessment and treatment of impairments (specific stabilising exercises) Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO8 LO9
Week 04 1. Neck pain: serious pathologies and neurological compromise; 2. Introduction to upper extremities disorders Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
1. Management of cervical radiculopathy; 2. Practice and peer assessment of technical skills; 3. Shoulder assessment: revision of key principles and application to a patient with shoulder pain Tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 1. Shoulder: triage, risk stratification, and management; 2. Elbow: triage, risk stratification, and management Lecture (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
1. Assessment and management of regional shoulder pain; 2. Assessment and management of regional elbow pain Tutorial (4 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Upper limb: assessment and treatment of impairments (therapeutic exercise) Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Exercise for impairments of the upper limb Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 08 1. Online mini-lecture: manual therapy; 2. Online mini-lecture: epidemiology (prevalence and incidence) Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO10
Upper limb: assessment and treatment of joint mobility impairment using manual therapy Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 09 Dealing with unfamiliar pathologies Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO10
Practice, peer assessment, and tutor feedback Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of tutorials for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit of Study Coordinator or Course Director. The Unit of Study Coordinator or Course Director may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate tutorial attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90%. Students are advised to attend all lectures in this unit of study. Lecture recordings will be made available where possible to assist with revision and study but should not be considered a substitute for physically attending the lecture.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the risk factors, aetiology, pathological changes, signs and symptoms, and prognosis of uncomplicated musculoskeletal conditions affecting the cervical spine, shoulder, and elbow
  • LO2. describe abnormal kinematics and kinesiology of the neck, shoulder, and elbow
  • LO3. perform appropriate patient triage and screening for serious conditions related to the neck, shoulder, and elbow
  • LO4. demonstrate sound clinical reasoning, and perform competent assessment of a patient with uncomplicated upper limb and cervical spine conditions
  • LO5. evaluate the diagnostic validity of common clinical tests used during examination
  • LO6. select the most suitable therapeutic intervention
  • LO7. apply (under direction) treatment techniques suitable for the impairments identified
  • LO8. apply principles of exercise prescription, including knowledge of biomechanics, to clinical cases
  • LO9. demonstrate appropriate progression of intervention, with specific focus on exercise rehabilitation
  • LO10. locate and interpret evidence (for commonly used interventions) for uncomplicated upper limb cervical spine conditions.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
LO2
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
LO3
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
LO4
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
LO5
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
LO6
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
1.4. advocate for clients and their rights to health care
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2. evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
LO7
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
1.4. advocate for clients and their rights to health care
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2. evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.1. engage in an inclusive, collaborative, consultative, culturally responsive and client-centred model of practice
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
LO8
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
LO9
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.1. plan and implement an efficient, effective, culturally responsive and client-centred physiotherapy assessment
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
1.3. review the continuation of physiotherapy and facilitate the client’s optimal participation in their everyday life
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.2. involve the client and relevant others in the planning and implementation of safe and effective physiotherapy using evidence-based practice to inform decision-making
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2. evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.3. efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Offered in hybrid online face to face mode due to COVID-19 pandemic

More information can be found on Canvas

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Work, health and safety

Universial infection control precautions https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/healthcare-associated-infection/national-infection-control-guidelines

COVID specific precautions for face to face classes

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.