Principles of Physiotherapy Practice

Module overview

This module builds on Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice, helping you to consolidate and advance your knowledge, skills and behaviours in preparation for your first practice-based learning (placement) module. You will be introduced to a clinical reasoning framework that will enable you to work logically through the assessment process ensuring a holistic approach (biological, psychological and social factors). You will learn how to gather both subjective and objective information, make sense of it to form a clinical impression, create problem lists and identify goals and management plans applicable to patients with a simple musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiorespiratory problems. You will also learn about basic management options, with a focus on advice, activity participation and exercise to manage a range of different conditions.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply a foundational clinical reasoning framework, using reflective practice to refine and develop the formation of initial hypotheses and problem lists to deliver personalised care.
Implement safe and effective treatment interventions—including education, advice, manual therapy and exercise—for patients with musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory presentations.
Exhibit professional behaviour in line with the student physiotherapist code of conduct, including obtaining informed consent and respect for patient choice.
Conduct and document a comprehensive subjective and objective physiotherapy assessment suitable for patients with musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiorespiratory presentations.
Demonstrate an understanding of common pathophysiological conditions and apply this knowledge to identify appropriate basic management strategies.
Demonstrate effective communication skills, using patient narratives to refine clinical reasoning, set collaborative goals and provide tailored education and advice.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

This module will use a blended-learning approach, with a range of teaching and learning activities including lectures, skills sessions, patient visits, guided independent and peer learning. Simulation with actor role players is used to facilitate the development of subjective assessment and communication skills. Live or recorded patient sessions will be used to support your learning, where clinicians (and where appropriate you as students will participate) in the assessment and treatment of patients presenting with simple musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiorespiratory problems.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	25
Independent Study	240
Practical	35
Total study time	300

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Eleanor Main & Linda Denehy (2016). Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Adults and Paediatrics.

Sheila Lennon, Gita Ramdharry & Geert Verheyden (2024). Physical Management for Neurological Conditions.

Dionne Ryder & Kieran Barnard (2023). Petty's Musculoskeletal Examination and Assessment.

Kieran Barnard & Dionne Ryder (2024). Petty's Principles of Musculoskeletal Treatment and Management.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

There are two components to the assessment for this module, and both must be passed to pass the module overall.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Facilitated verbal peer feedback
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Critical Reflection	30%
Objective Structured Clinical Examination	70%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Critical Reflection	30%
Objective Structured Clinical Examination	70%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: External

Module overview

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Syllabus

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Formative

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Summative

Referral

Repeat Information