Master of Rehabilitation Science (MC-REHABSC) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Rehabilitation theory and practice

• Fluently and accurately discuss and debate key theoretical concepts in contemporary rehabilitation practices using the language of rehabilitation science
• Incorporate knowledge of muscle and exercise physiology and pathophysiology of common conditions in designing, implementing and evaluating effective rehabilitation programs
• Recognise the influence of the social and culture determinants of health and how these influence individual’s choices and health behaviours and act consistently to promote a shared decision making model of rehabilitation practice
• Work in a culturally competent manner with students and educators from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to build understanding of factors that influence rehabilitation practices in diverse contexts

Evidence and innovation

• Analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate research and evidence relevant to rehabilitation practices
• Design evidence informed rehabilitation programs for complex clinical cases in local, national and global contexts
• Effectively measure both the health status of individuals and groups as well as monitor and measure the outcomes of rehabilitation strategies

Clinical Practice in Context

• Safely and effectively apply evidence informed rehabilitation practices in selected practice contexts, responding to physical, social and cultural factors that influence the individual and likely outcomes
• Justify clinical decision making for a range of clinical cases in diverse rehabilitation contexts based on literature and practice priorities
• Implement all elements of best practice in rehabilitation, including respectful communication with clients and shared decision making to achieve therapeutic goals
• Advocate for the health and wellbeing of all individuals, promoting equitable access to rehabilitation services
• Design and execute a substantial professional project or research-based project as part of a capstone experience
• Australian students will further demonstrate a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values and recognise the need to design rehabilitation to meet the needs of Indigenous communities in a culturally sensitive and safe manner

Generic skills

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

• demonstrate academic writing, oral and creative skills to present information to both specialists and non-specialists in academic forums clinical contexts
• demonstrate inter-professional learning and collaboration to effectively produce resources that can be used in a range of rehabilitation settings
• produce assessment outcomes with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability
• reflect on their personal skills, values, biases and limitations and identify learning opportunities to build on their knowledge and skills to promote best practice
• demonstrate effective team work through participation in group projects, active contributions to online discussions and the provision of feedback to their peers

Graduate attributes

The Master of Rehabilitation Science will promote the further development of The University of Melbourne’s Graduate attributes.

Academic excellence across disciplines
Specifically this Master program will promote academic excellence in the area of rehabilitation science, providing graduates with in-depth knowledge of contemporary theories and the skills required to examine issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Graduates from the Masters of Rehabilitation Science will be given opportunities to be critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills. Assessment tasks will facilitate the application of knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems that are part of the diverse rehabilitation contexts. The learning and assessment approaches will further promote effective oral and written communicating skills for both a lay and professional audience.

The Melbourne educational experience will prepare graduates to be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders. They will be encouraged to further develop and apply research and inquiry skills to challenges in rehabilitation settings. Attitudes and skills needed to be lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints will be scaffolded during the program.

Active citizenship
Graduates from the Master of Rehabilitation Science program will have engaged with the academic discourse related to the ongoing challenges of acute and chronic disease and disabilities, the socioeconomic relationship to ill health, ‘the ageing crisis’ and the health ‘chronic disease tsunami’ that are predicted to create further cost burdens at the local, national and global levels. A high regard for human rights, social inclusion, cultural competence, ethics and the environment will be actively promoted during this program and graduates will work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. In particular, graduates will develop an understanding of, and deep respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture and values.

The Melbourne experience will support a commitment to civic service in graduates' lives and careers, equipping them to be active, well-informed citizens who will make substantial contributions to society. Through local and international networks in this program, graduates will be encouraged to view themselves as leaders, change-agents and advocates in health promotion both within their professions and communities. Graduates will demonstrate the capacity to work effectively across disciplines and cultures. They will have the opportunity to design innovate rehabilitation programs that promote health for individuals and communities and therefore promote a sustainable future.

Integrity and self-awareness
The Master of Rehabilitation Science will encourage graduates to be motivated, self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities. Completion of the program will require both individual learning and collaboration with other graduates to construct new knowledge and contribute to the clinical and academic discourse on rehabilitation practice. Graduates will compile reflective professional portfolios that demonstrate self-awareness and reflective skills, the ability to engage with self-assessment, and will highlight their personal and professional integrity.

The opportunities offered by the Melbourne experience will help prepare graduates who are enthusiastic, self-assured and confident of their knowledge of rehabilitation science, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations in practice.