96082 Core Practice for Physiotherapists
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 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
Using an inquiry-based approach to learning, the subject introduces and develops fundamental clinical skills required to manage common musculoskeletal conditions that present across the lifespan. Students learn to select and deliver research-informed treatments used in physiotherapy practice such as education, exercise-based rehabilitation, taping and manual therapy. Clinical reasoning is developed to inform collaborative decisions regarding treatment selection, which consider factors such as the pathophysiology of a condition, patient preferences and current evidence. Authentic case-based scenarios are used to facilitate the development of clinical reasoning and implementation of research evidence using a practice-orientated approach.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 02. | Link structural and/or functional pathophysiology to a client’s clinical presentation |
|---|---|
| 05. | Integrate appropriate supplementary information in the diagnosis of a client’s condition |
| 06. | Apply clinical reasoning to determine best physiotherapy care |
| 10. | Demonstrate safe and sensitive therapeutic manual handling |
| 15. | Establish goals with client and families/caregivers |
| 16. | Plan an intervention |
| 18. | Design an intervention |
| 19. | Provide an evidence-based justification for intervention selection |
| 20. | Organise environment for safe execution of intervention |
| 21. | Minimise risk of adverse events to self and clients during intervention |
| 22. | Execute an effective intervention |
| 23. | Review treatment progress and adjust or discontinue treatment |
| 25. | Evaluate the efficacy of an intervention |
| 26. | Modify treatments based on restrictions imposed by a client’s condition and age |
| 27. | Use education to empower clients and caregivers |
| 28. | Provide feedback to clients during an intervention |
| 30. | Empower a client’s self-management and self-efficacy |
| 35. | Communicate effectively with the client, caregivers and other health professionals |
| 36. | Explain potential risks and benefits of any intervention to the client and caregivers |
| 53. | Evaluate own learning needs and direct own learning experiences |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Knowledge and skills: Integrate core biomedical and social health science knowledge across the breadth of physiotherapy practice to inform assessment and safe, competent and skilled practical care of individuals across the lifespan as an autonomous practitioner and as a member of an interprofessional team. (01.01)
- Clinical reasoning: Identify impairment, activity and participation deficits in individuals in accordance with the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health framework and develop evidence-based care plans in accordance with best practice physiotherapy. (01.02)
- Critical thinker: Critically analyse the evidence underpinning practice and effectively apply new knowledge to practice; conduct and disseminate high-quality research to improve professional knowledge and influence direction of future practice. (02.05)
- 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. (03.06)
- Client focus: Provide empathetic, compassionate and respectful patient-focused care, facilitating client self-management, advocating for best practice care and empowering clients by education. (04.03)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Practice ready
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are knowledgeable, practice-ready clinicians, skilled in providing safe and effective evidence-based care to clients across the lifespan, using a wide range of therapeutic approaches including skilled hands on practice, and in a variety of clinical settings as both independent and collaborative practitioners.
Research-enabled
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy effectively integrate research evidenceinto practice, are proactive in identifying gaps in knowledge and are competent to undertake research to advance the evidence base and inform futurephysiotherapy practice.
Person-centred
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are empathetic, person-centred practitioners who empower client self-management and endorse preventative care by forming and valuing partnerships with individuals, families and communities.
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.
Teaching and learning strategies
Prep work
Preparation (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 prep work is strongly linked to content covered in 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 get 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, group discussions and “One Minute Paper” where students reflect on what they have learnt in class and share this with the class. Group discussions often involve solving a problem or answering a question based on case studies or the content topic. 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 15-35. Content in classes often include the practice of practical skills and further consolidation of information gained in masterclasses. 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 the practice of practical skills, simulated role play of patients in case studies, group discussions, debates, brainstorming session and “One Minute Paper”. In the classes where practical skills are taught, the teacher demonstrates these practical skills and provide guidance on how feedback should be provided. After the demonstration, students work in small groups of 3 or more to practise. Feedback on their techniques are provided by the teacher or their peers. The content of feedback will cover professionalism, communication, equipment set-up, environment set-up, positioning of patient, positioning of therapist and manual handling/manual guidance. Feedback on common errors and suggestions for improvement will also be included. In the classes where theoretical content are consolidated and applied, 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.
Content (topics)
96082 Core Practice for Physiotherapists is a foundational subject in the Masters of Physiotherapy course. The aim of this subject is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of therapeutic management of musculoskeletal and orthopaedic conditions; meeting course aims to produce skilled, practice ready graduates. The subject integrates knowledge and skills acquired concurrently in 96080 Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning and introduce skills relevant to learning in clinical skills subjects taught subsequently in the program. Clinical simulation links learning between this and 96080 Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online module
| Intent: | This assessment task will give students the opportunity to assess their knowledge and understanding of the theoretical content to develop clinical reasoning to manage musculoskeletal conditions. The content to be assessed includes all content covered in weeks 1 to 6. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 02, 05, 06, 19, 21, 25 and 26 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.01, 01.02 and 02.05 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 60 minutes online multiple-choice quiz. |
| Criteria: | Please refer to Canvas for the marking criteria rubric. |
Assessment task 2: Mastery Foundational Skills Record -MUST PASS
| Intent: | This peer-based assessment task will give students the opportunity to demonstrate competence of essential treatment skills when conducting an intervention for a musculoskeletal condition. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 22, 25, 27, 28, 36 and 53 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.01, 01.02, 02.05, 03.06 and 04.03 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Criteria: | Pass/Fail. Note: submitting a scanned version online is mandatory to pass the unit. |
Assessment task 3: Oral appraisal
| Intent: | This assessment task will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their clinical reasoning skills in conducting an intervention for a musculoskeletal condition. The content to be assessed includes all content learnt from weeks 1 to 14. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 06, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25, 26, 30 and 36 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.01, 01.02, 02.05, 03.06 and 04.03 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 10 mins |
| Criteria: | Please refer to marking criteria on Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: Practical Assessment - MUST PASS
| Intent: | This assessment task will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their practical and clinical reasoning skills in conducting effective treatment for a musculoskeletal condition. The content to be assessed includes all practical skills learnt from weeks 1 to 14. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 06, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 35 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.01, 01.02, 02.05, 03.06 and 04.03 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 15 mins |
| Criteria: | Please refer to marking criteria on Canvas. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you are required to
- complete all assessments items,
- pass the practical exam, and
- achieve an overall grade of ≥ 50.
- attend a minimum of 85% of classes
- submit assessment 2 (Master Foundational Skills Record)
Required texts
Brukner P and Khan K (2019) Clinical sports medicine Volume 1 (injuries). (6th edition). Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill.
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)