Overview
This unit will provide students with an introduction to the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal problems in the lower limb, pelvis and lumbar spine for clients across the lifespan, allowing the development of an evidence based, problem solving approach to these presentations. The unit will enable students to apply effective clinical reasoning, integrate and apply both specific and generic physiotherapeutic skills that underpin patient centred assessment and management. This will include the use of electrophysical agents.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: PSIO11004 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 1 PSIO11003 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2 ALLH11005 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 1 ALLH11004 Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals 2 Co-requisite: ALLH12008 Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Direct feedback from DDLT. Have your Say
Students were concerned that they were notified of a widespread issue of potential plagiarism in a previous assignment before an upcoming minor assessment component (10%). There was a concern that this affected their performance in the subsequent assessment because they were worried about whether they were implicated.
All students were advised collectively that there would be a delay in returning their assignments due to a potential issue with widespread plagiarism. The impact of the timing of this announcement on potential student performance was not fully anticipated and in the future it is recommended that any comments on academic misconduct should be left until after other assessment components are completed. All students progressing in the program will receive additional instruction on correct referencing style. Additionally, students will be further reminded to use the "Turnitin" tool before submitting written assessment components for grading to avoid any future problems with plagiarism.
All teaching staff are now informed on the importance of timing in regards to addressing academic misconduct. Education around plagiarism and referencing has been embedded into a first year unit.
Feedback from Have your Say
A permanent staff member teaching on this course in ROK was well received and appreciated by the students as was the ability of each lecturer to spend some time on the alternate campuses during the teaching term.
Permanent staff members teaching on this course are recommended to continue as is the staff exchange across campuses during the term.
Permanent staff have now been sought at each campus.
- Design and conduct a client interview and explain different approaches to information gathering.
- Assess the lower limb, pelvis and lumbar spine for clients across the lifespan, and interpret and analyse findings.
- Discuss the pathological processes, the symptomatology, clinical course, medical management and expected outcomes of common presentations and pathologies.
- Develop a physiotherapy intervention plan, including goal setting, exercise and self-management.
- Explain and discuss various pain mechanisms.
- Practice and justify safe and effective use of electrophysical agents and equipment relevant to neuro-musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
The Learning Outcomes and Assessment tasks have been mapped against and aligned with the Australian Standards for Physiotherapy.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||
| 2 - Group Work - 30% | ||||||
| 3 - On-campus Activity - 0% | ||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Group Work - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - On-campus Activity - 0% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Brukner & Khan's Clinical Sports Medicine: Injuries, Volume 1
Edition: 5th (2016)
Authors: Brukner P, Clarsen B, Cook J, Cools A, Crossley K, Hutchinson M, McCrory P, Bahr R, and Khan K
McGraw-Hill Education
Australia
ISBN: 9781743761380
Binding: Hardcover
Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment: A Handbook for Therapists 4th Edition
Edition: 4th (2013)
Authors: Petty N
Churchill Livingstone
United Kingdom
ISBN: 9780702055041
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Clinics in Motion (http://www.clinicsinmotion.com)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.heales@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Course introduction.
Effective and efficient history taking
Chapter
Chapter 2 ‘Subjective examination' Petty (2013)
Chapter 14 'Clinical assessment: moving from rote to rigorous' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The tissue healing cycle and diagnostic triage.
POLICE
Flags.
Neurological testing
Chapter
Neurological tests, Chapter 3 'Physical Examination' Petty (2013)
Chapter 17 'Treatment of sports injuries' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the hip region.
Chapter
Chapter 3 ‘Physical Examination’ and Chapter 14 'Physical examination of the hip region', Petty (2013).
Chapter 31 'Hip pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Hurdle 1 (Video - History taking)
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the knee region.
Cryotherapy (ice-massage).
Chapter
Chapter 15 'Examination of the knee region', Petty (2013).
Chapter 35 'Acute knee injuries' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Chapter 36 'Anterior knee pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the ankle.
Chapter
Chapter 16 'Examination of the foot and ankle', Petty (2013).
Chapter 41 'Acute ankle injuries' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Chapter 42 'Ankle pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 1.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the foot.
Chapter
Chapter 16 'Examination of the foot and ankle', Petty (2013).
Chapter 43 'Foot pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Hurdle 2 (Video - Examination Lower Limb)
Module/Topic
Electrical stimulation modalities.
Ultrasound.
Chapter
Chapter 17 'Treatment of sports injuries' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the lumbar region.
Chapter
Chapter 12 'Examination of the lumbar region', Petty (2013).
Chapter 29 'Low back pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Examination and treatment of the SIJ.
Chapter
Chapter 13 'Examination of the pelvis', Petty (2013).
Chapter 30 'Buttock pain' Brukner & Khan (2016).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Clinical reasoning.
Chapter
Chapter 2 ‘Subjective examination' Petty (2013)
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 2.
Module/Topic
Clinical applications.
Chapter
Revision of all previous readings (chapters).
Refer to Moodle for additional resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision.
Chapter
Revision of all previous readings (chapters).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
There are two online quizzes:
- Quiz 1 in Week 5 (10% of unit grade) - covering content from weeks 1-4.
- Quiz 2 in Week 10 (10% of unit grade) - covering content from weeks 1-9.
Both quizzes will consist of up to 20 questions, and will have a time limit of 40 minutes. The questions will be identical for all students but the order in which they appear will be randomly generated by a computer, so that the quizzes will appear differently for each student. Access to books, notes, websites (other than the quiz) and use of other electronic devices are prohibited during the quiz. The use of a mobile phone is not permitted for this assessment. Both of these quizzes may be scheduled outside of normal class hours.
The quizzes will consist of some or all of these categories:
- Multiple choice questions.
- Fill in the missing word(s) questions.
- Questions relating to multimedia material (e.g. images, videos).
- Short answer questions
Weighting: 20% of your final mark (10% from each online quiz).
Day/Time Quiz 1: During Week 5 and will assess content covered during Weeks 1-4.
Day/Time Quiz 2: During Week 10 and will assess content covered during Weeks 1-9.
Assessment criteria: Quiz questions will be marked to provide a raw score with students awarded an overall percentage mark.
Return to students: Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 will be marked electronically. Results will be accessible through the Moodle website.
Submission information: Submission will be online.
Policies and Procedures: The CQUniversity Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy (for centrally timetabled examinations) applies to all assessment items in this unit.
2
Other
Quiz 1 in Week 5, Quiz 2 in Week 10
Quiz 1 in Week 6, Quiz 2 in Week 11
Students will be provided with their raw score and percentage (e.g. 17/20 85%).
- Discuss the pathological processes, the symptomatology, clinical course, medical management and expected outcomes of common presentations and pathologies.
- Explain and discuss various pain mechanisms.
- Practice and justify safe and effective use of electrophysical agents and equipment relevant to neuro-musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Group Work
Students will work in small groups and develop a written appraisal and a video demonstration of one assessment or treatment technique relevant to a chosen musculoskeletal condition of the lower limb or lower back.
The written component will be a maximum of 1,500 words including in-text referencing, tables and figures. The written component will include a background/introduction to the assessment or treatment technique, an appraisal of the current literature describing the technique, and a conclusion. Referencing must follow the APA format.
The video should demonstrate the chosen assessment or treatment technique, and include commentary explaining how to perform the technique (e.g. hand placement direction of force) and how to interpret the potential findings, both positive and negative. The video must not exceed 4 minutes.
Students will be allocated to groups by the end of week 3, and the submission is due in week 7.
Weighting: 30% of your final mark.
Format:You are required to use a standardised format.
Word Count: Maximum word count is 1500 words including in-text referencing, tables and figures.
Referencing: American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style
Submission Instructions: Online submission through Moodle
Policies and Procedures: The CQUniversity Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy (for centrally timetabled examinations) applies to all assessment items in this unit. The monitoring of attendance will take into consideration legitimate reasons for absence, as outlined in the aforementioned CQUniversity Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy, and these will not be counted as absence for the purpose of this attendance requirement.
Week 7 Friday (28 Apr 2017) 4:30 pm AEST
Monday (15 May 2017)
The assessment rubric for this assessment task is based on the Practice Thresholds for Physiotherapy set by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, and The Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice Instrument. These quality frameworks are mapped against the CQUniversity Graduate Attributes, and intended to give a holistic understanding of standards expected for the assessment task. See Moodle for specific assessment rubric.
- Design and conduct a client interview and explain different approaches to information gathering.
- Assess the lower limb, pelvis and lumbar spine for clients across the lifespan, and interpret and analyse findings.
- Discuss the pathological processes, the symptomatology, clinical course, medical management and expected outcomes of common presentations and pathologies.
- Develop a physiotherapy intervention plan, including goal setting, exercise and self-management.
- Explain and discuss various pain mechanisms.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 On-campus Activity
Attendance: A minimum attendance requirement of 85% for all tutorial and practical sessions is required to PASS this unit. This is recommended by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and is required for accreditation purposes. The monitoring of attendance will take into consideration legitimate reasons for absence, such as those outlined in the Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy (1.21, 1.23 and 1.24), and these will not be counted as absence for the purpose of this attendance requirement. To ensure their absence does not count towards the attendance requirement, students must contact the Unit Coordinator as their earliest convenience and supply all relevant paperwork (e.g. medical certificate).
There are two additional hurdle requirements for this unit. These hurdles are not compulsory to PASS this unit but provide students with an opportunity to submit their work for formative feedback. This allows students to confirm the knowledge and practice their skills.
Hurdle 1: Provides the opportunity for students to submit a short video demonstrating the undertaking of a component of the patient history examination (i.e. subjective history). Maximum of 5 minutes. Hurdle 1 due week 3.
Hurdle 2: Provides the opportunity for students to submit a video demonstrating the undertaking of one assessment or treatment technique for the lower limb. Maximum of 4 minutes. Hurdle 2 due week 6.
See above.
End of Term 1.
No Assessment Criteria
- Design and conduct a client interview and explain different approaches to information gathering.
- Assess the lower limb, pelvis and lumbar spine for clients across the lifespan, and interpret and analyse findings.
- Discuss the pathological processes, the symptomatology, clinical course, medical management and expected outcomes of common presentations and pathologies.
- Develop a physiotherapy intervention plan, including goal setting, exercise and self-management.
- Explain and discuss various pain mechanisms.
- Practice and justify safe and effective use of electrophysical agents and equipment relevant to neuro-musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
- Communication
4 Practical Assessment
The Practical Assessment, commonly referred to as an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), will be based on two (2) written clinical case scenarios (simulated patients). Students will perform and discuss aspects of relevant assessment, treatment and overall management of the condition presented. Students will rotate between 2 stations with 2 different examiners. All material from Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1 is examinable (along with previous pre-requisite units e.g. Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2, Foundations of Physiotherapy 1 and 2). In order to pass the OSCE both scenarios must be passed (minimum 50% grade for each scenario). The OSCE will last for approximately 60 minutes (30 minutes of preparation time [reading and writing], and 15 minutes on each case). Students are required to model for the following students' exam.
Weighting: 50% of your final mark.
Location: Location will be notified towards the end of Term 1.
Day/Time: The OSCE will take place during the University Exam Period. A detailed timetable will be made available towards the end of Term 1.
Assessment Criteria/Marking: The assessment rubric is based on the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Policies and Procedures: The CQUniversity Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy (for centrally timetabled examinations) applies to all assessment items in this unit.
Supplementary Assessments: As per the CQU Assessment of Coursework Procedures policy, students will not be notified regarding final unit grades, including the provision of Supplementary Assessments, prior to the official Certification of Grade date for Term 1. All Supplementary Assessments will be granted in accordance with the Grades and Results Procedures policy. Supplementary Assessments will be required to be completed within the two weeks following Certification of Grades.
The Practical Assessment will take place during the exam Week. An individual assessment timetable will be published prior to the end of Term 1.
Results and feedback will be available following certification of grades.
The assessment rubric for this assessment task is based on the Practice Thresholds for Physiotherapy set by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, and The Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice Instrument. These quality frameworks are mapped against the CQUniversity Graduate Attributes, and intended to give a holistic understanding of standards expected for the assessment task.
- Design and conduct a client interview and explain different approaches to information gathering.
- Assess the lower limb, pelvis and lumbar spine for clients across the lifespan, and interpret and analyse findings.
- Discuss the pathological processes, the symptomatology, clinical course, medical management and expected outcomes of common presentations and pathologies.
- Develop a physiotherapy intervention plan, including goal setting, exercise and self-management.
- Explain and discuss various pain mechanisms.
- Practice and justify safe and effective use of electrophysical agents and equipment relevant to neuro-musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
