Overview
You will develop an evidence-based and patient-centred approach to physiotherapy management of the complex adult and paediatric patient across a range of clinical areas. Topics include: orthopaedics, amputees, mental health, oncology, men's and women's health, neurodegenerative diseases, burns and plastics, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, palliative care, and community based rehabilitation. Your focus will be on establishing the connections between physiological capacity for improvement and symptomology, while considering all relevant domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
To enrol in this unit you must be enrolled in the CB85 Course and meet the following pre-requisites: PSIO12002 - Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy PSIO12005 - Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2 MPAT12001 - Medical Pathophysiology PSIO12004 - Neurological Physiotherapy 1
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 - 2025
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 Email
The external lecturers were excellent and made the unit really interesting.
It is recommended that external (specialist physiotherapist) lecturers continue to be scheduled into the teaching timetable for this unit.
Feedback from Email
It would be useful to have more cardiorespiratory paediatric teaching in this unit.
It is recommended that more paediatric content is included in this unit.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of pathological processes, symptomology, medical and pharmacological management, clinical course and prognosis for complex clinical conditions and pathologies
- Develop, apply, demonstrate and evaluate an evidence-based assessment and treatment for clients with complex clinical conditions and pathologies across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework
- Design and demonstrate a safe rehabilitation program for a specific complex clinical scenario that applies a variety of exercise techniques with appropriate progression and modification for that scenario
- Relate the role of physiotherapy to the management of complex conditions and pathologies using both an inter-professional and client-centred approach
- Demonstrate acceptable professional and ethical behaviours consistent with a physiotherapy practitioner.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 20% | |||||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) - 40% | |||||
| 4 - On-campus Activity - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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 | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.palmer@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Session A
- Introduction to Orthopaedic Imaging
Session B
- Orthopaedic Fracture and Dislocation Classification
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Pre and Post-surgical Assessment (recap)
Session B
- Orthopaedics: Management of the Lower Limb (Elective and Trauma)
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Orthopaedics: Management of the Spine (Elective and Trauma)
Session B
- Orthopaedics: Management of the Upper Limb (Elective and Trauma)
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Note: This weeks session will be held on Thursday 27th March. 08.00 - 11.00am and 12.00 - 3.00pm as usually timetabled.
Module/Topic
Session A
- Patient Prioritisation and Triage
Session B
- Management and Rehabilitation of Amputation
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Complex Case Scenarios & Clinical Skills Session
Session B
- Mental Health
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Wednesday 08.00am: Group submissions of Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates Workbooks of Core Modules or Focus Topics due.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This is a great time to catch up on all your study, and complete the e-Learning modules and prepare the group presentation work for the Core Module or Focus Module on the Palliative Care Curriculum (Hurdle 2).
Module/Topic
Session A
- Women's Health Physiotherapy
Session B
- Men's Health Physiotherapy
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Mid-term In-class Test (20%)
Tuesday 22nd April 09.00 - 10.30am
Module/Topic
Session A
- Management of Acute Burns
Session B
- Management of Chronic Burns
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Oncology: Management of Lymphoedema and Breast Cancer
Session B
- Oncology: Management of Lung Cancer
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Paediatrics: Acute Cardiorespiratory
Session B
- Paediatrics: Intensive Care
Session C
- Paediatrics: Chronic Cardiorespiratory
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
This weeks sessions will be three shorter (2-hour) sessions, Lecture followed by case studies.
Module/Topic
Session A
- Heart & Lung Transplantation
Session B
- Palliative Care & End of Life Management (Stepping out of Patient Care)
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Session A
- Hurdle 2: Focus Topic Presentations
Session B
- Complex Case Scenarios and Clinical Skills Session
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Hurdle 2 - Group Presentations of Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates Core Modules or Focus Topics.
Hurdle 2 - eLearning Module certificates due in Moodle
Module/Topic
Session A
- End-Term In-class Test
Session B
- Mock OSCE
- Revision Session: All topics and clinical skills
Chapter
Refer to the Unit Moodle site and Unit Clinical Practical Skills Workbook for prescribed readings and resources.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - End-Term In-class test (40%)
Please complete Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: OSCE (40%) - Please refer to timetable in the unit Moodle site. This assessment will be in either Assessment Week 1 or Week 2.
Please complete Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: OSCE (40%) - Please refer to timetable in the unit Moodle site. This assessment will be in either Assessment Week 1 or Week 2.
Please complete Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE)
1 In-class Test(s)
This test consists of up to 45 questions worth a total of 60 marks, and has a time limit of 90 minutes. This test is a closed book, paper-based, in-class written test that will be held on-campus (Bundaberg and Rockhampton campuses only). Access to books, notes and electronic devices are prohibited during the test. This assessment will be based on all topics covered in Weeks 1-5 and will consist of short answer, multiple selection and multiple choice type questions based on clinical case studies and x-ray images.
Weighting: This in-class test will contribute to 20% of the total unit grade.
Week 6 - Tuesday 09.00 - 10.30AM
Results will be returned to students no later than one week after the completion of the in-class test.
Students are required to complete this in-class test on either the Bundaberg or Rockhampton campuses to be eligible to pass the course overall.
No minimum grade is required to be achieved to be eligible to pass the unit.
Late Arrivals Policy: You should aim to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to the official assessment commencement time. In the extraordinary circumstance that you are late you will be permitted late entry to your assessment of up to 10 minutes after the official assessment commencement time. The period of lateness will be deducted from your overall assessment time. If you are denied access to the assessment due to lateness (i.e. arriving beyond the permitted late entry period), you should make an online application for deferred assessment (which may or may not be granted in line with CQU policy). If your application for deferred assessment is denied, you will receive a score of zero percent (0%) for your assessment item.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of pathological processes, symptomology, medical and pharmacological management, clinical course and prognosis for complex clinical conditions and pathologies
2 In-class Test(s)
This test consists of up to 60 questions worth a total 120 marks, and has a time limit of 180-minutes. This test is a closed book, paper-based, in-class written test that will be held on-campus. Access to books, notes and electronic devices are prohibited during the test. The End-Term Test will examine all content covered from weeks 1 to 11, inclusive, including all lectures, practicals, e-learning modules and required readings. The test will include some, or all, of the following question types: Multiple choice, True/False, Short answer/essay and/or Case studies.
Weighting: This in-class test will contribute to 40% of the total unit grade.
Week 12: Wednesday 08.00 - 11.00AM
Results will be returned to students no later than two weeks after the completion of the in-class test.
Students must complete this in-class test on either the Bundaberg or Rockhampton campuses.
Students must receive a minimum of 50% in this in-class test to be eligible to pass the course overall.
Late Arrivals: You should aim to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to the official assessment commencement time. In the extraordinary circumstance that you are late you will be permitted late entry to your assessment of up to 10 minutes after the official assessment commencement time. The period of lateness will be deducted from your overall assessment time. If you are denied access to the assessment due to lateness (i.e. arriving beyond the permitted late entry period), you should make an online application for deferred assessment (which may or may not be granted in line with CQU policy). If your application for deferred assessment is denied, you will receive a score of zero percent (0%) for your assessment item and will not be eligible for a re-sit but may be eligible for a supplementary assessment in line with CQU policy.
- Apply and demonstrate knowledge of pathological processes, symptomology, medical and pharmacological management, clinical course and prognosis for complex clinical conditions and pathologies
- Develop, apply, demonstrate and evaluate an evidence-based assessment and treatment for clients with complex clinical conditions and pathologies across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework
- Design and demonstrate a safe rehabilitation program for a specific complex clinical scenario that applies a variety of exercise techniques with appropriate progression and modification for that scenario
- Relate the role of physiotherapy to the management of complex conditions and pathologies using both an inter-professional and client-centred approach
3 Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will consist of a 45-minute clinical skills assessment which you will rotate through up to 12-stations and discuss and demonstrate assessment, treatment, clinical reasoning, evidence based practice and overall management of the condition/s presented. This OSCE will be related to all content covered in this unit from Weeks 1-11.
Students should be prepared to model for other examinees after completing their own assessment and students from other year groups may also act as models during the assessment as required.
This requires attendance on campus for a minimum of 90-minutes.
Weighting: This test will contribute to 40% of the total unit grade.
Date: Will be held over multiple days during the Term 1 University Examination Weeks (9th - 20th June 2025).
Assessment Moderation Using Video Recordings: To ensure consistency and fairness in the evaluation of practical assessments, including Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), this unit may employ video recordings as a method for assessment moderation. These recordings allow for a thorough review of student performance, providing an objective basis for feedback and grading. Assessors may review the recordings to verify the accuracy of initial assessments and to identify any discrepancies. This process also facilitates the calibration of grading standards among different assessors. By utilising video recordings, we aim to maintain high standards of assessment integrity and support continuous improvement in teaching and learning practices. More details about this process will be provided on the unit Moodle site.
This requires attendance on the day of examination for a minimum of 90 minutes (45 minute: Assessment + 45 minute: Modelling).
The OSCE will take place during the exam period. An individual assessment timetable will be published prior to Week 11.
Results and feedback will be returned to you no later than one week after the completion of the OSCE.
To PASS the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) you must:
-
- Achieve a PASS result of 50% or higher; AND
- Achieve a PASS result for the PASS/FAIL component of Safety and Risk Management.
If you DO NOT meet the above criteria, you may be offered a Supplementary Assessment in line with CQUniversity Policy.
Late Arrivals Policy: You should aim to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to the official assessment commencement time. In the extraordinary circumstance that you are late you will be permitted late entry to your assessment of up to 10 minutes after the official assessment commencement time. The period of lateness will be deducted from your overall assessment time. If you are denied access to the assessment due to lateness (i.e. arriving beyond the permitted late entry period), you should make an online application for deferred assessment (which may or may not be granted in line with CQU policy). If your application for deferred assessment is denied, you will receive a score of zero percent (0%) for your assessment item and will not be eligible for a re-sit but may be eligible for a supplementary assessment in line with CQU policy.
- Develop, apply, demonstrate and evaluate an evidence-based assessment and treatment for clients with complex clinical conditions and pathologies across all domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework
- Design and demonstrate a safe rehabilitation program for a specific complex clinical scenario that applies a variety of exercise techniques with appropriate progression and modification for that scenario
- Relate the role of physiotherapy to the management of complex conditions and pathologies using both an inter-professional and client-centred approach
- Demonstrate acceptable professional and ethical behaviours consistent with a physiotherapy practitioner.
4 On-campus Activity
Hurdle 1
A minimum attendance of 85% to tutorial/practical sessions is recommended by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. This has been integrated as a requirement into the CB85 Physiotherapy course, therefore a minimum of 85% attendance to tutorial/practical sessions is required for a PASS grade. The monitoring of attendance will take into consideration legitimate reasons for absences, as are outlined in the Assessment Policy and Procedure When there is a genuine reason for being absent, students must inform the Unit Coordinator as soon as possible. You will be warned by the Unit Coordinator when you reach the 85% threshold.
Please note: It is mandatory that medical certificates or other supporting documentation (e.g., funeral notices) are emailed to the Unit Coordinator within 5-days of missing a session. Students who fail to meet the minimum 85% attendance requirement or do not submit documentation within the required time frame will FAIL the unit.
Prolonged absences: Students who may require prolonged absences (>3 sessions) for a medical or health-related condition (e.g., serious, or debilitating illness or injury; hospitalisation; giving or recently given birth; mental health illness or condition), will require a face-to-face discussion with the Head of Course and the Unit Coordinator to discuss the most appropriate pathway for completion of the unit.
Hurdle 2a
You are required to complete a Group Core Module or a Focus Topic on the Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates website (https://pcc4u.org.au/). You will work in groups of 4-5 students and complete a workbook on one of the following four Core Modules or four Focus Topics (groups will be allocated a topic in class). As a group, you will complete the Workbook to be uploaded to Moodle by the Wednesday morning of Week 5 and then present a 10-15 minute in-class slide presentation on the topic in Week 11.
Core Modules:
- Topic 1: Principles of palliative care
- Topic 2: Communicating with people affected by life-threatening illnesses
- Topic 3: Assessing and managing Symptoms
- Topic 4: Optimising function in palliative care
Focus Topics
- Topic 1: Multidisciplinary care
- Topic 2: Caring for Aboriginal people affected by with life-limiting conditions
- Topic 3: Caring for children with life-limiting conditions
- Topic 4: Culture-centred care of people with life-limiting conditions
Hurdle 2b
You are individually required to complete 2 x eLearning modules through the Central Skills Development Service (https://central.csds.qld.edu.au).
Please use the same login details you used when registered on the Cardiorespiratory Unit. Else you will need to create a new account, then enrol in the required online course. These are free courses that you can complete in stages in your own self-directed learning time.
Certificates for these short-courses should be submitted by 8am Wednesday Week 11, 28th May 2025.
The following eLearning modules are required to be completed:
- Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Course
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Course
Hurdle 2: Due date for Group Presentation
Hurdle 1: Attendance will be graded at the End of Term 1. Hurdle 2: Students will receive feedback and comments in the Week 11 presentation session.
The Hurdle Requirement is a Pass/Fail assessment task.
Policies and Procedures:
- The monitoring of attendance will take into consideration legitimate reasons for absences, as are outlined in the Assessment Policy and Procedure.
- Students will be required to complete the Supplementary Assessment within 7-14 days following Certification of Grades.
- Demonstrate acceptable professional and ethical behaviours consistent with a physiotherapy practitioner.
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?
