Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Knowledge of the major features of human movement disorders is essential as a basis for the safe and effective use of exercise and physical activity in clinical settings. Important aspects of these disorders include their aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. This unit provides the theoretical base for subsequent clinical exercise prescription units and the practicum placement.

Aims

This unit provides you with a knowledge of the principal features of a set of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders that prevent, limit or modify a person's capacity to move, and in turn, to undertake different forms of physical activity and exercise. By identifying the causes of each disorder, along with their epidemiological characteristics, the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, and approaches taken to diagnose, assess and treat these disorders, the unit aims to develop your knowledge of these disorders so that you can recognise how they affect and respond to movement, exercise and activity.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Describe selected movement disorders and their signs and symptoms and use relevant clinical terminology



2. Describe the range of causes that lead to these disorders



3. Describe the scope of each disorder in terms of its occurrence, demographic features, and the burden it imposes



4. Explain the pathophysiological mechanisms by which each disorder restricts, prevents or modifies movement



5. Discuss the different approaches to diagnosis, treatment and assessment of each disorder

Content

The unit will provide a systematic coverage of selected disorders in three groups including:

Group 1 - Stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular diseases

Group 2 - Mood and anxiety, psychoses, dementia, eating disorders and pain.

Group 3 - Inflammation, arthritides, osteoporosis, subacute and chronic, specific and nonspecific musculoskeletal pain/injuries. Other conditions may be included where they illustrate important concepts.

The unit will provide a foundation level of knowledge concerning the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments, at a level that allows students to work with other health professionals in the assessment and provision of exercise and activity suitable for people with that condition. The unit builds on knowledge acquired in the foundation units of motor control exercise physiology, biomechanics and functional anatomy.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will first consider general principles common to all the disorders, and systematically outline key knowledge and concepts separately for each. The unit will make extensive use of web-based resources including video recordings and of assessment procedures commonly used with each specific disorder. Where possible, lectures will include invited speakers, other health professionals and patients, to provide their perspectives on the implications of the disorders for movement, exercise and activity. Tutorials will focus on case presentations and patient assessment techniques that allow students to deepen their understanding of each condition and understand its normal clinical course. Students are encouraged to adopt an evidenced based approach to the selection of information sources and assessment instruments. Formative assessment will be provided through web-based self-test questions.

Assessment

Summative assessment consists of 3 items as outlined below.

NOTE in order to pass this unit it is necessary to pass both summative assessment pieces (Practical Skills in Patient Assessment and the Final examination).Formative assessment and student support

The tutorials will include exercises in the preparation of the oral presentation and provide students with feedback. Students will have access to web-based formative assessment resources that will allow self-testing of key concepts and knowledge.

Assessment name: Final examination
Description: The final examination will evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of the disorders using a short written answer format. The exam will include multiple-choice questions, fill in the blanks style questions and have an open book component that allows the students to prepare part of their answers one week before the exam (however, prepared notes will not allowed in the examination room)
Length: 1.5 hours
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of unit

Assessment name: Practical Skills
Description: Practical Skills in Patient Assessment

Students will be evaluated on their knowledge of; ability to select and demonstrate safe use of a variety of patient assessment techniques including the use of clinical terminology relevant to neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders. This is a knowledge-based assessment using a multiple-choice examination format. This is a practical assessment using a one on one interview and demonstration of skills format.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

Assessment name: Self-assessment
Description: Core Knowledge and Exam Practice

Online materials providing examples of exam questions for practice supported by timed release of example answers. Additional feedback may be obtained by appointment with teaching staff upon submission of worked examples.

Length: Self paced
Weight: 0% (formative self-assessment)
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Not Applicable

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

In addition to the online materials, the following texts are recommended:

Fredericks, C.M., & Saladin, L.K. (1996). Pathophysiology of the motor systems. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Oltmanns, T., & Emery, R. (2010). Abnormal Psychology (6th ed.). Pearson: Upper Saddle River.

Tidius, P. (Ed.). (2008) .Skeletal muscle damage and repair. Champaign: Human Kinetics.

Whiting, W., & Zernicke, R. F. (2008). Biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury.Champaign: Human Kinetics.

Durstine J.L. et al. (2010) ACSM's Exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities. Human Kinetics.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 27-Sep-2012