module specification

This module extends the learning from physiotherapy theory and practice 1 and 2 (PT7003 & PT7004) to the management of individuals with complex clinical cases referred for physiotherapy interventions across a range of diverse clinical contexts and settings. It will also explore the roles of physiotherapy in the management and health promotion of individuals within populations that may be referred for Physiotherapy interventions and management in contemporary practice.

Students will further develop their clinical reasoning skills required to systematically work with broader multi-professional care teams within complex contemporary healthcare frameworks and services. The module will enable you to consider the needs of service users with complex and continuing care needs and enhance your ability to identify the potential contribution of physiotherapy to the population’s health and well-being. 

The module will run alongside practice placement opportunities (placement 3 and 4) which will provide opportunities to integrate the learning in this module into the clinical setting. Through all these, you will acquire the knowledge, understanding and preparation for transition into contemporary professional practice within a dynamic health and social care environment.

PT7003 & PT7004.
Available for Study Abroad? NO

Indicative syllabus will include:

• Complex cases: Traumatic brain injury, critical care, advanced musculoskeletal rehabilitation, return to work considerations, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiothoracic surgery, peripheral vascular care, vestibular dysfunction, mental health, dementia, Frailty.
• Specialist populations – HIV, oncology, palliative care, pain management, women’s health, ageing, paediatrics, learning disability, haemophilia, burns and falls services
• Interdisciplinary care: transition between services, integrated care service and settings
• Role emergent settings: industry, public health, research, education settings, care for the homeless
• Ethical burden of working in contemporary health and social care
• Health promotions and health coaching
• Role of digital health and informatics in providing healthcare for individuals with complex care needs

The teaching approach will consist of guest lectures, guided study, specialist case study sessions with expert clinicians, small group seminars

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Systematically collate clinical information about an individual with complex healthcare needs, analyse the information to determine the nature, severity, and factors contributing to complexity.
2. Consistently justify and evaluate own clinical reasoning for safe and effective physiotherapy interventions working as part of a multi and/or interdisciplinary team to manage a complex health problem affecting the service user.
3. Critically evaluate the evidence base for physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary management of service users presenting with complex problems.
4. Plan and implement a safe and effective evidence-based management to optimise the health and wellbeing of an individual with complex needs.
5. Recognise your own scope of practice, identify appropriate learning needs, and when to refer appropriately to other professionals while working with individuals with complex needs to optimise clinical outcomes.

This module will be assessed by two pieces of assessments: Evidence based essay and a clinical viva examination.

Evidence based management of a complex patient
Students will apply their knowledge of complexity management to a clinical case, identified during practice placement 3, involving an individual with complex care needs or complex presentation and submit a 2000-word evidence-based physiotherapy management essay of the individual with complex needs. This element will account for 60% of module marks and assess LO1,3, 5. Students will have a formative opportunity to practice this assessment and receive feedback before the actual assessment is due.

Clinical Viva Examination
The clinical viva examination will be used to assess students’ ability to gather relevant information from a complex case, analyse data and discuss overall management of the individual including specific roles of any multi-disciplinary team required to achieve optimum clinical outcome for the patient. Students will be provided with prior disclosure of topic areas before the clinical viva. On the day of the viva, students will be provided with the clinical details of a case and asked questions on the case in an interview style. This element will account for 40% of module marks and assess LO2,4. A formative viva will be organised in advance of the actual assessment.

Electronic Reading Lists
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/549A22F1-7C75-FD6D-CF3C-27EE04010DD3.html

French, S and Sim, J. (2004) Physiotherapy: a psychosocial approach. Elsevier, 3rd Edition, Oxford.
Greenhalgh, T., Papoutsi, C. Studying complexity in health services research: desperately seeking an overdue paradigm shift. BMC Med 16, 95 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1089-4
Kerr Diana (2007). Understanding Learning Disability and Dementia. Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Reynolds, F. 2004. Communication and Clinical Effectiveness in Rehabilitation. Elsevier
Safford MM, Allison JJ, Kiefe CI. Patient complexity: more than comorbidity. the vector model of complexity. J Gen Intern Med. 2007;22 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):382-390. doi:10.1007/s11606-007-0307-0
Stokes, Emma. (2011) Rehabilitation outcome measures. Churchill Livingstone.
Systems and the effect of complexity on patient care Summary http://www.who.int ›