Unit of Study PHTY1001 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

No

Enrolment information

Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time.

Unit description

This unit introduces the physiotherapy profession and the role of a physiotherapist within the context of practice, and within the health care system. The physiotherapy thresholds, legal, ethical and cultural frameworks for physiotherapy practice and the Graduate Cultural Capability Model from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework are introduced. Essential skills for physiotherapist practitioners, including communication, understanding learning styles, interviewing and feedback approaches and reflective thinking are explored and students commence their journey as reflective practitioners. Students are introduced to a clinical reasoning framework, using a person-centred, culturally responsive approach to respectfully, safely and effectively manage clients' health. Students learn to safely apply introductory physiotherapy skills in client assessment and treatment.

Unit content

The role of the physiotherapist; Professional, legal, ethical and cultural frameworks for physiotherapy practice A
Professional, legal, ethical and cultural frameworks for physiotherapy practice B; Introduction to reflective practice
Introduction of a clinical reasoning framework, using a person-centred, culturally responsive approach
Introductory Physiotherapy Skills A
Introductory Physiotherapy Skills B
Introductory Physiotherapy Skills C

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Coffs Harbour	Term1	Term1

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

identify professional, legal, ethical and cultural frameworks within contexts of physiotherapy practice

demonstrate professional skills, including in communication and reflective thinking

apply introductory physiotherapy skills in safe client assessment

select and perform skills of therapeutic touch using a clinical reasoning framework

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Practical 2 x 2.5 hours (Weekly)

Tutorial 1 hour (Weekly)

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Practical	50%
Presentation	25%
Reflective writing	25%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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