MSc Physiotherapy

Institution University of Essex, Colchester Campus
Method At the institution
Location Colchester
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc Physiotherapy

Objectives 1. To produce students who are competent physiotherapy practitioners with sound reasoning skills able to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team. 2. To provide a challenging learning environment including practice placements for students to build on their critical enquiry and independent learning skills in the passage to becoming physiotherapy practitioners who are responsive to current and future health care needs. 3. To enable students to construct personal theoretical frameworks for physiotherapy practice drawing on the evolving evidence base. 4. To draw on students high level of motivation, their confidence to challenge and pursue learning needs to master complex areas of knowledge. 5. To enable students to become autonomous professionals committed to their own and the physiotherapy profession's development. 6. To develop students capacity to lead and initiate change within, and on behalf of the physiotherapy profession. 7. To provide opportunities for shared learning with other pre-registration health care professionals.
Entry requirements Entry Qualifications - A lower second class degree or above in a life science or equivalent - An interest in people, knowledge and awareness of physiotherapy - English language qualification IELTS score 7.0 with no element below 6.5
Academic title MSc Physiotherapy
Course description
Course Description
MSc Physiotherapy is an accelerated programme for graduate entrants that runs for two years on a full-time basis and leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a physiotherapist. The course is patient focused and student centred, reflecting on contemporary health and social care practice. Whilst studying, students undertake blocks of practice education with practising physiotherapists in the workplace.

Modules and Options

The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

Stage 1

    Core: CONTEXTS OF PRACTICE
    Core: PHYSIOTHERAPY FOUNDATION STUDIES
    Core: PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDIES 1
    Core: PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDIES 2
    Core: PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE
    Core: REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
    Core: RESEARCH

Stage 2

    Core: INTERPROFESSIONAL WORKING AND PRACTICE
    Core: PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDIES 3

Teaching and Assessment Methods

A: Knowledge and Understanding
    Learning Outcomes
    A1 : Critical understanding of the scientific knowledge base of physiotherapy practice, including its gaps, uncertainties, defining features, contexts and the evolving nature of physiotherapy.
    A2 : Significant understanding of the theories, principles and concepts underpinning current professional activity.
    A3 : A highly developed understanding of the political, cultural and professional issues that hinder and facilitate team working.
    A4 : Critical understanding of psychological processes and the role of emotion in personal effectiveness.
    A5 : Advanced understanding of the theories and practice of reflective learning and its role in personal and professional development.
    A6 : Extensive, detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more aspects of physiotherapy practice, informed by current research and scholarly activity.
    A7 : A critical understanding of physiotherapy research.

    Teaching Methods
    A1-A5 are achieved through:

    Lectures and seminars, which introduce material in a structured manner with opportunity for class discussion.

    Individual assignment and group work, utilising inquiry based approaches

    A5 is further supported by directed personal reflection of critical incidents and through tutorial support and supervision.

    A6 & 7 are achieved through group work, course assignment, literature review and research proposal, case studies, placement experience and tutorials.

    Assessment Methods
    A1, 2, 3,4 & 5 are assessed by course work and portfolio.

    A6 & 7 are assessed by an extended literature review, a detailed research proposal and case studies.

B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    B1 : Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise physiotherapy practice/education/health care issues, informed by current and innovative developments, with recognition of the need to promote equality for all physiotherapy service users.
    B2 : Use critically a range of physiotherapy skills, techniques and approaches thus being able to respond to the individual needs of physiotherapy service users.
    B3 : Deal with complex ethical and professional issues, making informed judgements on matters that may not explicitly be addressed within existing codes, standards and protocols.
    B4 : Begin to develop original and creative responses to problems and issues.
    B5 : Practice in ways that draw heavily on critical reflection of practice and evidence.
    B6 : Pose research questions and develop a research plan.
    B7 : Reflect and learn in order to identify personal and professional goals for life long learning within a framework of continuing professional development.

    Teaching Methods
    B1-B5 are achieved through a combination of group and individual activities. Lectures and seminars are used to introduce new material and explore within a group setting. Practical skills classes and workshops are used to integrate the theory and practice of physiotherapy.

    Directed personal study time enables the student to deepen and strengthen this learning through enquiry based learning.

    Assessment Methods
    B1-B7 are assessed by course work, objective structured clinical examinations and vivas, portfolio and research including a substantive literature review, detailed research proposal and case study.

C: Practical Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    C1 : Demonstrate competence in the core areas of physiotherapy practice.
    C2 : Demonstrate autonomy and initiative in professional activity.
    C3 : Act autonomously in planning, implementing and evaluating the outcomes of professional activity, inviting and using feedback from others to inform this process.
    C4 : Identify and discuss the management of clinical risk in a range of physiotherapy practice settings.
    C5 : Demonstrate originality and creativity in applying knowledge, understanding and approaches in physiotherapy practice/education/management.
    C6 : Practice in a range of contexts, including those within which there is uncertainty or unpredictability.

    Teaching Methods
    C1-C6 are placement based learning supported by clinically based tutorials and portfolio development.

    C6 is achieved through reflective learning using portfolio and supported by personal tutorials.

    Assessment Methods
    C1-C6 are assessed by clinical assessment forms and portfolio.

D: Key Skills
    Learning Outcomes
    D1 : Use a range of advanced communication skills that are appropriate to physiotherapy and multidisciplinary team working; demonstrate effective and confident communication with a range of different audiences
    D2 : Use the Internet; access data via library, professional bodies etc; use audiovisual presentation tools and techniques.
    D3 : Interpret statistical information; use statistics to analyse data; use software packages to support data analysis.
    D4 : Identify and analyse problems emerging from theory and practice.
    D5 : Motivate and engender partnership working; demonstrate a strong awareness of personal limitations and scope of practice; take responsibility for one's own work and significant responsibility for the work of others.
    D6 : Demonstrate an aptitude for continuing to advance knowledge, understanding and skills in line with identified learning needs; identify, conceptualise and define new and abstract ideas within professional practice/education/management.

    Teaching Methods
    D1 is supported in small group discussion and seminars. Tutorial time is allocated for individual discussion.

    D2 commences on the pre-registration induction day and through seminar presentations.

    D3 is supported in seminars where students present and analyse work. Tutorial time is allocated for individual discussion and problem solving.

    D4 is practised throughout the course. Students work through given problems or derived from the student's practice.

    D5 is facilitated by the use of collaborative group work and during seminars.

    D6 is achieved through feedback on coursework and individual tutorial time.

    Assessment Methods
    D1 is assessed by course work, essay, portfolio, presentation, literature review, research proposal and case study.

    D2 is assessed through use of word-processing and ability to cite references from internet sources. Practical assessments are also included which test students' skills. The use of information technology during presentations is encouraged.

    D3 is assessed through course work, essay, portfolio and dissertation.

    D4 is assessed through course work, essay, portfolio and dissertation.

    D5 & D6 are assessed through course work, oral presentations and clinical assessment forms.