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

The central role of exercise for both treatment and for secondary prevention in individuals with a range of neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders is well accepted, but the provision of safe, effective and appropriate forms of exercise and activity in these conditions requires a sound knowledge base and relevant skills. These include an understanding of particular assessment and screening procedures used in different disorders, and of contraindications for specific forms of exercise, and of disorder-specific limitations and capacities. This unit builds on your previous knowledge of exercise prescription and neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders by systematically considering a range of disease-specific concepts and issues as seen in professional practice.

Aims

This unit is designed to provide you with a knowledge base for clinical exercise prescription that enables you to undertake all aspects of screening, assessment, program design and prescription, monitoring and evaluation of exercise and activity, for the principal neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders. It is also designed so that you can apply a systematic approach to each of these program components for individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders you have not encountered previously. In conjunction with both internal and external practicum experience, the unit will prepare you to undertake all aspects of exercise programming for people with these conditions, using the best available evidence and professional guidelines, whether working alone or with other health professionals.

Objectives

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

1. Screen the individual for health risk factors that may contraindicate specific forms of exercise or activity and assess an individual's exercise and movement capacity and limitations
   
   
2. Determine, in conjunction with the individual, realistic goals and expectations for their program of exercise and activity
   
   
3. Apply principles of exercise prescription and knowledge of the disorder to devise a program of exercise and activity to meet these goals
   
   
4. Monitor the program to ensure adherence, safety, and as a basis for modifying activities or goals as required.
   
   
5. Evaluate the outcomes of the program using assessment methods appropriate for the condition and report these outcomes to referring medical or other health professionals.
   
   
6. Demonstrate effective communication skills which engage the individual in their goal setting and articulate the activity prescribed to meet these goals
   

Content

Topics will include exercise prescription in neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal diseases, including:

Group 1 - stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular diseases
Group 2 - depression, anxiety, psychoses, dementia, eating disorders.
Group 3 - arthritides, osteoporosis, sub acute and chronic specific and non specific musculoskeletal pain/injuries

Other conditions may be included where they illustrate important concepts.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Students will normally take this unit in conjunction with clinical placements as part of their practicum requirements, This unit will be delivered in a fully flexible mode to accommodate varying practicum placement sites and schedules. It provides opportunities for learning activities which strengthen the connection between theory and practice. The content will be divided into modules, each of which will be supported by readings, video lectures, and critical analysis of web-based case presentations of relevant patient groups and procedures. A problem-based learning approach will be used where appropriate. Because of practicum commitments, each student will agree on an individual schedule for the unit's modules with the unit coordinator.

Assessment

Summative assessment consists of 3 items as outlined below.Formative assessment and student support

The unit coordinator will meet with students in Week One and develop schedules with each student. Each module will include structured tests for formative assessment, and provide feedback on your performance and on any areas needing additional work. Students may repeat versions of each test until a satisfactory level of performance is achieved. Consultation hours will be set each week during which students may seek advice from the unit coordinator. As some students are likely to be undertaking external practicum placements at various times in the semester, ¿virtual¿ study groups will be set up allowing students to compare case study experiences, and to review and discuss material presented in each module. These groups will be supported by online resources such as group wikis and file-sharing.

Assessment name: Assessment and Program Report
Description: Students will prepare a structured report outlining the assessment procedures, goals and a program suitable for a person with a specified cardiorespiratory and/or metabolic condition, explaining and defending their choices
Length: 1500 words
Relates to objectives: 1-3, 6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Case Study and Video
Description: Students will prepare an oral report as a video recording outlining all stages of an exercise program for a person with a relevant disease. This individual may be a client seen in the QUT Health Clinics or during an external practicum placement. The report will describe and provide a critique of all aspects of the program and include recommendations for use with similar future cases.
Length: 15 minutes
Relates to objectives: 3-6
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Final Examination
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

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:

Faulkner, G.E.J., Taylor, A.H. (2005). Exercise, health and mental health: emerging relationships. London: Taylor & Francis.

Houglum, P. A. (2005). Therapeutic exercise for musculoskeletal injuries (2nd ed). Champaign: Human Kinetics.

Skinner, J. S. (Ed.) (2005). Exercise testing and exercise prescription for special cases: theoretical basis and clinical application. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Shumway-Cook, A. and Woollacott, M.H. (2006). Motor control: translating research into clinical practice (3rd ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Wasserman et al. (2004). Principles of exercise testing and interpretation: including pathophysiology and clinical applications (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

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