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Chronic Disease and Disability (PHTY90102)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 (Extended)
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This subject aims to integrate core strands of physiotherapy knowledge and practice with contemporary health needs of individuals, communities and populations. Aging populations, changing technologies and changing expectations of the health workforce mean that physiotherapists are required to be both responsive and adaptable in practice and research. This subject broadens students’ understanding of how physiotherapy knowledge and practice can apply to chronic illness and disease stages. Theories of illness and disability relevant to chronic conditions in specific populations, ages and gender will be studied. Critical examination and critique of models of health practice that arise from these underlying theories and their application to specific case studies will be addressed.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:  

  • Integrate prior knowledge of chronic disease and disability from core streams of clinical practice (musculoskeletal, neurosciences and cardiorespiratory) to provide a framework for physiotherapeutic management of individuals with chronic conditions
  • Critique a range of theories and clinical approaches to the physiotherapeutic assessment and management of chronic disease in different health populations with different disease stages
  • Be open to critiques and theories that inform standard approaches to treatment of chronic disease in different health populations
  • Identify strategies to facilitate maximal participation of individuals with chronic disease and their carers to optimise function and quality of life
  • Compile and synthesize appropriate outcome measures used to assess patient outcomes in the physiotherapy management of chronic diseases.
  • Categorise and critique different types of evidence in conditions across chronic disease and disability, including models of healthcare delivery.
  • Critique the political and governance structures that support individuals living with chronic disease and disability.
  • Use relevant legal and regulatory statutes and the human rights framework to debate the equity of access to health services of individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities in urban and rural Australia.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students will have had the opportunity to develop the skills associated with:

  • An understanding of factors affecting human relationship and the psychological, cultural and spiritual well-being of patients
  • An understanding of chronic illness and disability and its impact on the patient, their carers and communities
  • An understanding of the roles, responsibilities and expertise of all health professionals, and how they work in teams to delivery of healthcare
  • An understanding of the potential conflicts of interest that may confront physiotherapists and other health professionals

Last updated: 30 January 2024