University of Bradford: Postgraduate Programme Specification

University of Bradford: Postgraduate Programme specification

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Health Studies (SOHS)Department: Allied Health Professions

Programme title: MSc Applied Physiotherapy

Post graduate award within the Specialist Skills to Post Registration Development (SSPRD) for Health (Formally CPD) Framework for Flexible Learning in Health and Social Care

Leading to: Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/Master Degree in Applied Physiotherapy

Awarding and teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / Masters Degree
Postgraduate Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
FHEQ level 7
Programme title: / Applied Physiotherapy
Duration: / MSc Full time: over one year.
PG Dip Full time: over nine months
PG Cert Full time: over three months
UCAS code: / n/a
Date produced: / January 2012
Last updated : / January 2014

Introduction

The MSc Applied Physiotherapy programme has been specifically designed to advance the practice of qualified physiotherapists both in the UK and internationally. Through studying from a range of varied and specialist modules students will develop evidence based knowledge and skills in key areas of physiotherapy relevant to the needs of your workplace. Learning alongside fellow students from diverse backgrounds promotes sharing of ideas and clinical experiences. You will develop independent critical thinking and the ability to reflect on, challenge and advance established concepts and practices. We offer specialist modules in musculoskeletal therapy, continence, women’s health and exercise rehabilitation as well as a range of modules from across the School of Health Studies.

Students cannot normally undertake modules that require access to a clinical practice whilst studying. However we are able to offer access to a clinical load for a limited number of students through the Physiotherapy out-patients Clinic within the School of Health Studies.

This programme does not meet the requirements for Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registration but may enable you to develop some of the skills which are required to enable you to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Council.

School of Health Studies Specialist Skills to Post Registration Development for Health Framework for Flexible Learning

The MSc Applied Physiotherapy is part of the multidisciplinary SSRPD Framework for Flexible Learning within the School of Health Studies. The Framework enables you to create an individualised programme of study that will meet your needs and/or your employer’s needs for a changing diverse workforce within your organisation.

The School of Health Studies’ focus on excellence though knowledge, practice, research, leadership and management aims to support the future sustainability of the individuals, through lifelong learning and improved employability and thereby influencing the future adaptability of individual organisations and service delivery to promote change and advance practice.

Your programme of study and the collection of modules you choose to study will contextualise your learning by addressing the Aims and Learning Outcomes for the programme which are outlined in the next section of this document. Modules such as public health, patient safety and research modules, enable you to shape your own focus of study within the modules aims and learning outcomes by learning the principles being taught and applying them to your own professional/ employment area.

The flexibility offered by the School of Health Studies’ framework will enable you to take forward your current experience whatever the area of your work, in collaboration with the University of Bradford. An academic advisor will discuss and support your choices with you. This will be recorded in an individual study plan.

Programme / Framework Aims

The MSc Applied Physiotherapy and the School of Health Studies’ framework share the same aims. There are several aims for the programme and these are contextualised within the aims of the modules and the route of study that you take. If you study a School framework module, alongside students from different professions/employment areas, it is the application of the Aims and Learning Outcomes to your own subject area that maintains the focus on your area of interest on Physiotherapy. The programme aims are applied to address the requirements for the MSc Applied Physiotherapy:

Level 7
Postgraduate Certificate: Aims 1 – 7 are essential
A1 / Provide a flexible educational framework that is vocationally relevant, which meets the professional development needs of the student, as well as the organisational needs of employers.
A2 / Stimulate students to become autonomous self-directed learners who are motivated to sustain and advance their own continuous professional learning with a confidence to support the professional development of colleagues and the work of their organisations.
A3 / Develop the skills , knowledge, critical understanding and awareness of the depth and breadth of knowledge applicable to their own fields of practice
A4 / Further develop the students cognitive and practical skills to undertake data synthesis, complex problem solving, the articulation of competing perspectives and competence in their field of practice
A5 / Provide opportunities for interprofessional teaching and learning to share the knowledge, skills and experience common to a range of different health and social care disciplines.
A6 / Develop critically reflective, competent practitioners, managers and leaders who will inform and shape or change inclusive, fair and ethically sensitive service provision.
A7 / Develop the skills required for life-long learning and professional development
Postgraduate Diploma: Aims 1 – 8 are essential
A8 / Develop critical perspectives on research and knowledge development in Physiotherapy.
Masters Degree: Aims 1- 9 are essential
A9 / *Develop an understanding of the theoretical constructs underpinning research or project management which will inform the undertaking of an ethical piece of research or a work based project and the ability to demonstrate how the findings can influence practice and policy.

·  Students must normally undertake a systematic review

Programme Learning Outcomes

The MSc Applied Physiotherapy programme learning outcomes are compatible with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (QAA 2008).

The programme contains the flexibility to design your own pathway and the learning outcomes outlined below are contextualised within the learning outcomes of the modules that you study. When you have successfully completed your programme of study within the programme you will be able to:

Programme Learning Outcomes (LO’s)

Post Graduate Certificate: Aims 1 – 9 are essential
1.  Develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of the literature that relates to inclusion and diversity.
2.  Critically appraise and synthesise research evidence in order to analyse, evaluate and apply principles of inclusion appropriately to ensure efficacy of policy development and contemporary practice.
3.  Evaluate and critically apply theoretical concepts and where appropriate, master practical skills for the management of complex issues associated with contemporary diversity management.
4.  Reflect upon and demonstrate knowledge of values and ethical thinking and demonstrate mastery within the field of diversity management.
5.  Develop and demonstrate the ability to articulate sound arguments using a variety of formats including written and oral communication skills.
6.  Demonstrate management and leadership through effective communication, problem solving and decision making
7.  Demonstrate the ability to become an autonomous learner through independent study and critical reflection on continuing development needs
8.  Demonstrate the ability to use IT skills to gather and synthesise information , to access programme materials
9.  Evaluate changes in practice to contribute to the development of quality systems and frameworks, which embrace inclusive leadership, management and organisational governance.
Postgraduate Diploma: Aims 1 - 10 are essential
10. Critically evaluate theoretical perspectives, methodologies and methods associated with knowledge development through research commissioning
Masters Degree: Aims 1 - 12 are essential
11. Demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of different theoretical constructs underpinning research, project management methodologies or management theories
12. *Design, undertake and report on either a systematic review, a piece of empirical research, work based or management project that contributes to or extends the body of knowledge for your field of practice

*Students must normally undertake a systematic review.

Curriculum

The curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of students from a range of employment backgrounds. The modular format of the programme and its position with the School of Health Studies Framework permits you to select and study at least one module that is out with but complementary to, your speciality, and in so doing broaden your knowledge and understanding of other areas that impact on Physiotherapy. The curriculum provides a range of modules that are combined to provide an individualised award. However, it is possible in negotiation with your programme leader or personal academic tutor (PAT) to undertake modules from across the School’s Framework to accrue credits by applying the coursework from for example, the ‘understanding patient safety’ or ‘public health’ module to your field of practice/area of employment which will make the module relevant to Physiotherapy. This principle would be the same for the independent study modules, or other inter-professional modules offered as application of specialist knowledge applied to these modules enables your learning needs to be achieved.

Students on the MSc Applied Physiotherapy also undertake the School’s taught 30 credit ‘undertaking a systematic review’ research module in order to study a final stage 60 credit research module. The final stage 60 credit research module for the Master’s award will normally require you to complete a Systematic review. The following table of the curriculum matrix highlights how the curriculum maps to the MSc Applied Physiotherapy and nested awards. Each student will develop a study plan tailored to their specific learning needs in conjunction with the programme leader. Please note the curriculum may change, subject to the University’s progarmme approval, monitoring and review procedures. In particular it is intended that new modules may be added in order that customised programmes can be developed in response to employers training needs provided that these align with the framework learning aims and objectives.

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Curriculum matrix

MSc Applied Physiotherapy

Normally up to 24 students will be admitted for each of the named award each year; for all units (modules) a minimum of ten students are normally required. Units may be offered in alternate years

Module Title / Code / Level / MSc Applied Physiotherapy / PG Dip Applied Physiotherapy / PG Cer Applied Physiotherapy /
Evidence Based Clinical Guideline Development (20 credits) / HP-1200D / 7 / O / O / O
Final Stage Systematic Review (60 credits) / HGR-702Z / 7 / C
Independent Study in Rehabilitation (10 credits) / HP-4008M / 7 / O / O
Independent Study in Rehabilitation (15 credits) / HGP-701G / 7 / O / O
Independent Study (30 credits) / HGI-701T / 7 / O / O
Management of Chronic Pain in Musculoskeletal Practice (20 credits) / HP-1215D / 7 / O / O
Theory of Physiotherapy in Women’s Health (30 credits) / HPP-708T / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy Management of peripheral joint dysfunction – lower limb (30 credits) / HP-4025T / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy management of peripheral joint dysfunction – upper limb (30 credits) / HP-4024T / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy Management of Spinal Dysfunction (30 credits) / HP-4023T / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal function and dysfunction (Lower Limb) (15 credits) / HPP-703G / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal function and dysfunction (Upper Limb) (15 credits) / HPP-702G / 7 / O / O / O
Physiotherapy management of musculoskeletal function and dysfunction (Spinal) (15 credits) / HPP-701G / 7 / O / O / O
Continence theory for physiotherapists (30 credits) / HPP-704T / 7 / O / O / O
Undertaking a systematic review (30 credits) / HGR-702T / 7 / C / C
Therapeutic Exercise in Rehabilitation (30 credits) / HP-New / 7 / O / O / O
Sports Physiotherapy and Trauma Management (20 credits) / HP-4022D / 7 / O / O / O

Students can also study alternative optional modules from the within the CPD Framework for Flexible Learning in Health and Social Care. These should be discussed with the programme leader

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Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies

Whilst following this programme of study you will engage with learning through a range of teaching methods. To a degree these methods will be dependent on modules studied, however student-centred approaches to learning are a feature of the modules and you will be expected to take responsibility for your learning as you develop your academic skills. There are a number of blended learning approaches to the manner in which modules are delivered including block attendance, study day attendance and self-directed study. When devising your study plan you will be informed regarding which delivery methods are utilised for which module and in which semester your chosen modules are being delivered. You will also be informed about dates and times of compulsory attendance at the university.

The aims of the teaching and learning strategies have been designed so that you will be given the opportunity to develop theoretical and experiential understanding (Programme LO’s 1, 2, 3, 7, 11), advance your knowledge and critical thinking (Programme LO’s 2, 8, 4, 10, 11) and to develop a range of skills appropriate to your professional field your, organisation and workplace setting (Programme LO’s 5, 6, 9). The modules nested within the framework offer you the capacity to acknowledge and build upon the knowledge and skills you may have acquired through previous learning experiences including those in the work place.

Your programme of study will expose you to a range of different teaching, learning and assessment strategies required to achieve the learning outcomes. The teaching approaches that are used across the School of Health Studies are informed by the University core values which for teaching and learning are: Reflective, Adaptable, Inclusive, Supportive, Ethical and Sustainable. You may experience these across your choice of modules in order to meet both the aims of the programme and your learning outcomes which may include any number of the following:

·  Lectures: to a group of students where information will be presented and discussed whilst informed by the core values.

·  Facilitated seminars and group discussion: where learning will be through the interpretation and critical application of information and group learning

·  Tutorial where small group number of students reflect and discuss issues related to their learning