module specification

Applied Sciences is a year-long module taken by pre-registration Physiotherapy students in the first year of their programme to support the development and application of knowledge and understanding of biological (anatomy and physiology), psychological, and social aspects of human sciences to deal with issues affecting health and wellbeing, within a biopsychosocial context. 

The teaching and learning focusses on developing understanding of human functioning, including the exploration of dysfunction and recovery processes. This is facilitated through engagement with the core sciences of anatomy, pathology physiology, psychology, and sociology. The module will run alongside Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1 and 2 modules (PT7003 & PT7004) to provide opportunity to further embed this knowledge and understanding to support Physiotherapy practice across the lifespan.

Anatomy topics will introduce you to the normal structure and function of the human body including structural and functional anatomy of the lower limb, lumbar spine, pelvis, upper limb, thoracic, cervical spine, respiratory, cardiac, and nervous systems.  Physiology of the following systems including muscle, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems will be explored. The pathological changes associated with damage of the bodily systems including healing will also be considered alongside a consideration of the development of common illnesses and diseases. Health psychology will explore core psychological theories, principles across lifespan and the role of the biopsychosocial model in the understanding of human functioning. Sociology will also explore key concepts that can be applicable to the understanding of health and illness in individuals and populations.

This module will,

1. provide you with opportunities to develop a systematic understanding of the biological, psychological, and social sciences that underpin health and wellbeing in individuals and populations.
2. Support you to apply a critical understanding of biological, psychological, and sociological knowledge to interpret the signs and symptoms seen in individuals affected by dysfunction of normal human functioning in contemporary practice.
3. enable you to apply scientific concepts to understand how common problems may affect human functioning using the biopsychosocial model.

No pre-requisites.
Available for Study Abroad? NO

The module covers underlying sciences that support Physiotherapy practice: anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, and pathology. In the anatomy strand, anatomy of the nervous system (central and peripheral), musculoskeletal system (upper and lower quadrants) and cardiorespiratory systems are explored (LO1, LO2, LO4). In physiology strand, students cover control of human movement, motor learning and neuroplasticity, exercise physiology, lung biomechanics, cardiac physiology, gaseous exchange, and respiratory drive (LO1, LO2, LO4). The psychology strand explores the theories of communication, psychological theories of human development and the psychology of mental health (LO2, LO4). Sociology strand provides an opportunity to consider social and cultural influences on health of individuals and populations (LO2, LO4). Pathology enables students to explore responses of muscle, nerve, and bone tissue to injury, ageing and disease (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4).

Anatomy

• Central nervous system (CNS) functional anatomy (cortex, cerebral blood flow, brainstem & cranial nerves, ascending & descending systems, basal ganglia, cerebellum), Peripheral nervous system structure and function (somatic and autonomic).
• Musculoskeletal anatomy: upper & lower quadrants – joints and musculature
• Cardiorespiratory anatomy: thoracic cage, respiratory muscles, lungs and pleura, heart, and coverings.
• Physiology
• Human movement, motor control and motor learning; muscle physiology (skeletal and smooth muscle), biomechanical principles of human movement; exercise physiology; lung biomechanics, function, carriage of oxygen, gas exchange, respiratory drive.

Health Psychology

• Psychological theories related to human development across lifespan e.g., attachment theory, working with children, impact of illness and disability, adolescence, pregnancy and post-partum, early middle adulthood, older adulthood, grief work - working with death and dying.
• Biopsychosocial considerations in understanding health and disability
• Health beliefs and behaviour, models, evidence, symptom perception and health seeking, impact of and response to life threatening and long-term conditions, adherence/nonadherence to interventions e.g., exercise.
• Stress and resilience, mental health

Sociology

• Social determinants of health and global health challenges such as class, ethnicity, sexuality, power differential.

Pathology

• Response of muscle, bone and nervous tissue to injury, disuse, and exercise.

Indicative topics are delivered through taught sessions, guided study, blended learning, case study exploration, seminars and use of additional supportive resources including use of dissection sessions to explore and apply anatomical knowledge using pre-dissected specimens.

Tutorial sessions provide opportunities to apply the knowledge and understanding to interpret common conditions.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the components of human anatomy, physiology and behavioural science including the dynamic relationships of human structure and function as related to the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
2. Apply a biopsychosocial model to identify possible dimensions of human functioning that may be implicated in individuals with dysfunction related to the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, including the social and cultural influences on health of individuals and populations.
3. Discuss the effect of pathological processes underlying common clinical conditions seen in contemporary practice
4. Justify the rationale for interventions using a biopsychosocial model to optimise health and functioning in individuals and populations.

This module will be assessed by a 2000-word biopsychosocial essay and a 2-hour unseen written examination. Each aspect will account for 50% of the module mark. Students will be expected to pass both components to pass the module.

Biopsychosocial essay
The 2000-word essay is aimed at exploring students’ ability to apply the knowledge and principles of basic sciences to explore the impact of health conditions on human functioning. It will be based on a case study where students interpret the clinical presentation in the case and the implications within a biopsychosocial context. This element will contribute 50% of the module mark and assess LO 2, 4. Students will have an opportunity to practice the application of the biopsychosocial model to clinical case studies throughout the module and be given a formative opportunity to practice writing a short essay and receive feedback before the actual assessment.

Unseen written examination
This will be a 2-hour paper focused on the knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, physiology, behavioural and clinical science underlying Physiotherapy practice. It is aimed at exploring the breadth of knowledge taught in this module. It will contribute 50% of module mark and assess LO 1, 3. Students will have an opportunity to practice written examinations before the actual assessment.

Electronic reading List: https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/BAC7BD63-345D-BA00-C581-DA1C99BCC8EE.html

Anatomy

• Gordon Betts, J. Peter Desaix, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, James A. Wise, Mark Womble, Kelly A. Young, and Openstax. Anatomy and Physiology. 1st ed. Openstax, 2013.
• Soames, Roger W., Nigel Palastanga, Richard Tibbitts Anatomy and Human Movement E-Book Ed 7 Elsevier Health Sciences
• Physiology
• Bear, Mark F., Connors, Barry W, and Paradiso, Michael A. Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. 4th ed. Philadelphia; Wolters Kluwer, 2016.

Psychology & Sociology

• Boyd D. and Bee H. (2020). Lifespan Development. 8th Global Edition. New York: Pearson. e-version https://www.pearson.com/uk/educators/higher-education-educators/program/Bee-Lifespan-Development-Global-Edition-8th-Edition/PGM2705517.html?tab=formats
• Corcoran, N. (2007). Communicating health: Strategies for health promotion. 2nd Edition. London, England: Sage. https://sk.sagepub.com/books/communicating-health-strategies-for-health-promotion-second-edition
• Ogden J. (2019). Health Psychology. 6th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. e-version ISBM 978-1526847126
• Russell L (2014). Sociology for Health Professionals. First Edition. London, England. Sage.