module specification

PT7006 - Physiotherapy Theory & Practice 3 (2025/26)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2025/26
Module title Physiotherapy Theory & Practice 3
Module level Masters (07)
Credit rating for module 30
School School of Human Sciences
Total study hours 300
 
150 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
100 hours Guided independent study
50 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 60% 50 Evidence based essay exploring the management of a patient with complex needs identified in practice
Oral Examination 40% 50 Students will be presented with clinical data about cases with complex needs and asked questions about the case.
Other 0%   Mandatory Attendance
Running in 2025/26

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Year North Tuesday Afternoon
Year North Wednesday All day

Module summary

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.

Prior learning requirements

PT7003 & PT7004.
Available for Study Abroad? NO

Syllabus

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

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

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

Learning outcomes

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.

Bibliography

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 ›