Outline

Overview

Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I will provide students with opportunities to gain and demonstrate foundational competencies in the skills and attributes of physiotherapy professionals, both broadly and across the core areas of physiotherapy. During the placement, students will work under the guidance of a clinical educator. They will have the chance to lead individual and group training sessions, such as group rehabilitation and exercise sessions and participate in interprofessional learning opportunities. This first clinical practicum unit can be in various settings such as hospital settings, rehabilitation centres, aged care or private practice including metropolitan or rural settings. Students will learn how to provide clinical care to a variety of individuals and groups, and will further develop their skills in communication and history-taking, assessment, goal setting, clinical reasoning, teamwork, procedural skills, and professional practice. They will reflect on ethical and professional considerations within the scope of physiotherapy practice and on the impact of the social determinants of health.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	PHTY5500 and PHTY5501
Corequisites ?	PHTY6500
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Belinda Judd, belinda.judd@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 May 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Placement	Educator Assessment Mid-unit Mid-unit Extended EFPC	0%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Mar 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Student Self-Reflection/Assessment Mid-unit Mid-unit self-evaluation based on EFPC	0%	Week 03 Due date: 19 Mar 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Educator Assessment End-Unit Final-unit Extended EFPC	0%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Student Self-Reflection/Assessment End-unit Final-unit self-evaluation based on EFPC	0%	Week 05 Due date: 02 Apr 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Summary of Activity Completion of summary of activity form on Sonia	0%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Apr 2025 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Our curriculum design is based on the principles of programmatic assessment for learning. Programmatic assessment will involve a longitudinal program of small-stake assessments, continuous rounds of reflection for learning and improvement, attendance, professionalism, Learning Advisor meetings, and opportunities for remediation/extension. Students must complete/submit all assessments.

In addition, for clinical placement units of study, the expected standard for each placement must be met. Decisions will be made in reference to the expected standard for each individual assessment and competency levels. For PHTY6501 this will be defined by the Evaluation of Foundational Placement Competencies (EFPC) tool.

Progression is determined by the clinical educator who will advise the unit of study coordinator and Progression Committee, based on students’ performance while on placement. All students who meet the expected standard in all assessments will progress, if they have not breached the faculty professionalism requirements. In some cases, students may be required to undergo remediation and further assessment to meet the expected standards for progression.

Result name	Description
Satisfied requirements	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard.
Failed requirements	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I	Placement (40 hr)
Week 02	Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I	Placement (40 hr)
Week 03	Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I	Placement (40 hr)
Week 04	Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I	Placement (40 hr)
Week 05	Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I	Placement (40 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. LO1. Demonstrate emergent physiotherapy skills as described by the Evaluation of Foundational Placement Competencies (EFPC)
LO2. LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of and operate within professional and ethical practice standards and with appropriate cultural capabilities.
LO3. LO3. Communicate effectively, professionally, and reflectively with diverse patients, carers, clinical educators, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
LO4. LO4. Contribute to the design and implementation of patient-centred assessment, interventions and education based on best practice principles, EBP, and patient goals under supervision.
LO5. LO5. Evaluate and reflect on their professional identity development, operate as an effective team member, and serve as an ambassador for the University the profession, and quality healthcare.
LO6. LO6. Reflect on personal limitations, recognise risk in the workplace for patients, self, and others, and identify strategies to maintain safe practice.
LO7. LO7. Consolidate the developing and transferable skills from Foundations I and II and lived experiences.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PHTY6501: Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I

Intensive April - May, 2025 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links