Course overview
The aim of this course is to develop and apply specialised evidence based clinical knowledge of childhood conditions and child development and mastery of skills of assessment, analysis of findings, planning, intervention and evaluation required for safe and effective family-centred physiotherapy practice with children. Students will learn how to apply specialised evidence-based clinical knowledge and skills required for paediatric physiotherapy practice relevant to a variety of contexts and service models using family-centred principles. Students will learn the causes and mechanisms of activity limitations and participation restrictions in children and pathophysiology and sequelae of a range of congenital, chronic, developmental, musculoskeletal, neurological and degenerative conditions requiring physiotherapy management during childhood and adolescence.
Students will develop skills in the physiotherapy evaluation procedures, outcome measures and management planning relevant to these conditions.
Students will develop skills in physiotherapy management including specific therapeutic techniques, exercise, application of principles of motor learning, functional mobility, postural control, gait, use of orthoses, mobility aids and other assistive devices, equipment and technology, cardiorespiratory fitness/physical activity caregiver engagement/support/education, support for inclusion in childhood settings and programming for a variety of settings.
Students will integrate culturally responsive care and social and emotional issues relating to disability, occupational health and safety issues especially manual handling, the role of other team members within the management team, models of service delivery and advocacy.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a mastery in knowledge and application of knowledge of childhood conditions requiring physiotherapy assessment and management.
- Synthesise and apply knowledge of typical childhood development, assessment tools and evidence based approaches to management, to execute a physiotherapy evaluation with a child and develop a physiotherapy management plan.
- Integrate clinical reasoning skills to safely and effectively conduct an appropriate and holistic evaluation, to establish an evidence-based physiotherapy management plan, and critically evaluate and measure the effectiveness of the management.
- Explore the role of physiotherapy as an advocate, and as part of the interprofessional management of children in various environments and service-delivery models
- Integrate family-centred practice principles, including engaging, supporting and educating caregivers in the prevention and management of children's activity limitations and/or participation restrictions.
- Demonstrate professional, culturally responsive and ethical behaviour required of an entry level physiotherapist when working with children and families that is consistent with Australian Physiotherapy Association's and Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency's codes, policies and guidelines.