Entry requirements* Applicants should hold a UK or overseas degree from a recognised institution, or an equivalent professional or other qualification. All students joining the course must: * normally be registered as a health or social care professional * normally at least two years’ post-qualification experience, with one year working in a clinical area in which rehabilitation is the focus.
Course description MSc / PGDip / PGCert
Approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
This innovative course in Rehabilitation offered by Oxford Brookes, welcomes UK, EU and international health and social care professionals. The course has been designed to meet individual and professional needs, both in terms of long and short term study, in order to develop advanced rehabilitation practice.
It provides a wide range of teaching and learning strategies, enabling practitioners to develop pertinent skills, such as research and leadership. The course offer three pathways:
1. Neurological
2. Musculoskeletal
3. Posture management. Please note for this pathway, you have to enter with a PGCert in Posture Management, offered by the Oxford Centre for Enablement, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford.
The rehabilitation process involves many people from a range of disciplines, all centred around the disabled person. For rehabilitation to be effective this group of people must function as a team, engaged in collaborative goal, planning and focusing on the disabled person and their family. For professionals to comprehend the complexity of the rehabilitation process they need a knowledge base that encompasses the diverse theoretical and professional perspectives in the field, and which gives them the scope to study aspects of the rehabilitation process that may relate to their own professional perspective.
Four key features characterise the course. Firstly, it has a strong practice focus, which is met within modules through practice-focused sessions and visits to centres of excellence. Secondly, users' views and experiences are fundamental to the course, with users being involved in the development and delivery of the course. Thirdly, each rehabilitation-specific module examines the key research approaches and methods of enquiry used to generate knowledge within the field. Finally, the course provides an opportunity for practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds to engage in shared learning and enquiry.
Course content
For all awards there are three compulsory rehabilitation modules:
1. Rehabilitation, Concepts, Theories and Practical Applications provides you with the opportunity to critically appraise evidence relevant to rehabilitation concepts and related theoretical frameworks. You will have the opportunity to reflect on the rehabilitation process, making creative/innovative responses to complex and challenging situations in rehabilitation practice. Teaching takes place in Semester 1 (September start) in a blended learning format. This consists of a workbook with exercises to work through; seminars running on Tuesday mornings in Weeks 1, 3, 7 and 11 and using Brookes Virtual, our virtual learning environment for communication.
2. Physiological Bases to Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation Practice enables you to deepen your understanding of anatomical, physiological and patho-physiological bases underpinning either musculoskeletal or neurological rehabilitation. Teaching takes place in Semester 1 in a blended learning format. This consists of a workbook with exercises to work through and seminars on Tuesday afternoons in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.
3. Advanced Rehabilitation explores rehabilitation in more depth, taking either a neurological or a musculoskeletal focus. You will build on your assessment and technical skills in the field of musculoskeletal or neurological rehabilitation. The emphasis of this module is on critical analysis of theoretical and frameworks and paradigms underlying current rehabilitation practice. Teaching takes place in Semester 2 (January start) in a blended learning format. This consists of a workbook with exercises to work through and seminars in Weeks 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 and using Brookes Virtual, our virtual learning environment for communication.
Plus:
* Disability: The Nature and Experience will enable you to gain a greater understanding of different models and perspectives of disability and to consider the influences of culture, lifestyle, social practice and expectations placed on disabled people. You will have the opportunity to consider the ways in which health care professionals interact with 'people with a disability', their carers and their environment in order to promote independence, empower their clients and promote positive health outcomes. Teaching takes place in Semester 2 in a blended learning format. This consists of a workbook with exercises to work through, seminars in Weeks 1, 3, 7 and 9 and using Brookes Virtual, our virtual learning environment for communication.
Or:
* Work-Based Learning enables you to gain recognition and academic credit for learning gained through professional practice or employment. You will develop a work-based learning contract which specifies the learning outcomes to be achieved, the learning activities, the resources required, and the evidence of achievement which will be assessed. This can be taken in any semester. There is no taught component.
Advanced Research is compulsory for the PGDip and MSc. This module will enable you to understand the relationship between methodology and method, and to appreciate the philosophical and theoretical underpinning of research-related decisions and their practical application. This module runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2.
A Dissertation is compulsory for the MSc.
The PGCert consists of the three compulsory rehabilitation modules. The PGCert (posture management pathway) is administered by the Mary Marlborough Centre at Nuffield Orthopaedic Trust.
The PGDip (neurological and musculoskeletal pathways) consists of the three compulsory rehabilitation modules, plus the Advanced Research module and two acceptable modules. There are a number of acceptable modules available for you to choose from, including: Disability: The Nature and Experience; Critical Appraisal; Work-Based Learning; and Inter-Professional Learning. The posture management pathway consists of Rehabilitation, Concepts, Theories and Practical Applications; Advanced Research; and one acceptable module.
The MSc consists of the modules specified for the PGDip, plus the dissertation, which is equivalent to three modules.
You may take any of the compulsory rehabilitation modules individually as part of your own continuing professional development.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The teaching, learning and assessment strategy reflects the course’s multi-professional practice-focused approach. Opportunities for inter-professional learning, sharing existing and developing skills, knowledge and experience, are maximised. The focus of all teaching, learning experiences and specific assessments is the individual and their rehabilitation programme. If you are not in practice, or not from a health care background, the sharing of knowledge and experience can be of particular value. In order to make the most of the range of experience, skills and knowledge within the group, a variety of teaching and learning strategies will be employed, including seminars, group work and case studies.
The assessment methods used within the course are varied; they are designed to be stimulating as well as academically rigorous, and are based on your learning needs, individual aims, content, and the academic standards expected for the course. Assessment is based on coursework consisting of academic and reflective essays and case studies.
All our courses adopt a student centred approach to teaching and learning and are strongly focused on encouraging each individual to attain their full potential as life-long learners. You will be supported throughout the course by academic skills sessions, an allocated personal tutor, module support, and dissertation support. In addition to the support you will receive from the course team, Oxford Brookes also offers a range of other student support schemes such as Upgrade (academic skills development support). There is also a dedicated Student Disability Service, which provides support for students with disabilities including sensory and mobility impairments, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
Quality
The report of the QAA Major Review 1 (Health Visiting, Nursing, Midwifery and Operating Department Practice programmes) in October 2005 was overwhelmingly positive and revealed high levels of confidence in all the areas reviewed.
The course team consists of a diverse range of professionals, all experienced in neurological or musculoskeletal rehabilitation. There is a strong focus on rehabilitation research within the school. Members of the team are involved in rehabilitation research, have published rehabilitation books and sit on editorial boards of rehabilitation journals. They are also involved in key rehabilitation conferences.