513-411 Elective Studies

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Subject Description:

Students are expected to undertake three periods of elective clinical study to develop a greater understanding of the diversity and depth of physiotherapy as a profession and the need for continuing professional learning. The electives offered cover a vast range of different physiotherapy and associated practice.

The elective periods aim to broaden and deepen students' experiences and knowledge of physiotherapy practice in a number of ways. They may examine in greater depth some aspect of physiotherapy by close contact in activities with members of the profession; by working in situations giving greater responsibility in the care of patients than ordinarily applies in the undergraduate course; by sampling the broad demands of physiotherapy in the community; by working in a professional field not fully developed within the compulsory elements of the course but which could be of value in later professional life; by experiencing possible fields of future specialisation so as to facilitate career choice. Students should understand the role of health care providers within the elective placement; the rationale of selected physiotherapy approaches to management; the role of other health professionals and members of the community in the outcome of physiotherapy management.

In the summer elective students will normally seek a placement in community or rural practice, or overseas, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and are responsible for organising their own elective in conjunction with senior physiotherapy staff at the placement. Students thus will develop an understanding of the social, cultural and political context of health care management, the role of the physiotherapist, and the application of physiotherapy within the elective placement.

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