Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Volume 4 page 145)
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513-206 Theory of Physiotherapy Practice

Year 2 Physiotherapy.

Coordinator: Ms G Webb.

Contact: 1-hour lecture and 1-hour tutorial a week

Timetable: Double semester.

Objectives:

This subject is taught in conjunction with Physiotherapy Principles and Practice 2. On completion of this subject, students should:

Comprehend: The importance of effective communication and interpersonal skills in physiotherapy practice; the aetiology, pathology, physiotherapy and medical management of major soft tissue injuries of peripheral joints and the vertebral area; the normal determinants of gait and how they are measured; the principles of the theory and practice of motor skill learning and its application to the retraining of movement; the principles of exercise prescription; the principles of hydrotherapy; the principles involved in assessment procedures and problem solving processes as applied to clinical decision making; the principles involved in basic neurological treatment; the principles of basic cardiothoracic treatment.

Have Developed: An ability to interpret appropriate assessment details following subjective and objective assessment, and to record these findings; an ability to problem solve in assessment and treatment selection; an ability to analyse posture and movement, both normal and abnormal; skills in the prescription of exercises including strengthening, mobilising, postural and movement re-education; skill in collecting and analysing selected objective data relating to normal movement and function, skills in researching current literature in soft tissue injury management.

Appreciate: The need to apply scientific attitudes of inquiry and critical analysis to the theory of physiotherapy practice; the need for objective measurement and its analysis and interpretation.

Content:

Continuation of first year Physiotherapy Principles and Practice.

Assessment:

First and second semester: two assignments (1,500 words each) (40 per cent). Second semester: a 3-hour written paper (60 per cent).

Assessment procedures: problem solving, subjective and objective assessments, recording, measurement; gait: analysis, normal and pathological gaits, causative factors in gait pathologies, energy requirements of gait, measurement systems; exercise prescription: knowledge of the physiology, biomechanical and motor skill learning principles as applied to exercise. Theory of hydrotherapy; theory of mobilising and stretching techniques and their role in rehabilitation, including massage; soft tissue injuries: pathology, repair processes, classification of injuries, differential diagnosis, and choice of treatment techniques, for peripheral and vertebral joints. Biomechanics of soft tissues; collagen, ligaments, tendons, muscle.

Prescribed texts:

• Maitland G D Vertebral Manipulation 5th edition 1986 Butterworth Heinemann
• Maitland G D Peripheral Manipulation 3rd edition 1991 Butterworth Heinemann
• Corrigan B and Maitland G D Practical Orthopaedic Medicine Butterworth & Co Ltd 1983 Sydney Toronto Wellington

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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Volume 4 page 145)

Status:          Official 1996
Date created:    Oct  9 1995
Last modified:   Oct  9 1995
Authorised by:   Academic Registrar
Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au

Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.