Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Health and Wellness in the Community

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

REHA2272

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Joshua Farragher

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: joshua.farragher@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study:

You should have satisfactorily completed or received credit for the following course/s before you commence this course:  

Alternatively, if you have the equivalent skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.  

Please contact your course coordinator for further details.   

Recommended Concurrent Study:

It is recommended to undertake the following course/s at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice. 

Alternatively, if you have the equivalent skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.  

Please contact your course coordinator for further details.     


Course Description

This course will consolidate fundamental physiotherapy principles and extend your knowledge of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy, with respect to specific population groups (cancer-related illnesses, gender-specific and paediatric populations).  You will be required to apply a scholarly and multi-disciplinary lens to effectively and responsibly manage these specific population groups. You will be challenged to implement best practice family centred care, ensuring measurable effectiveness of implemented management strategies; adoption of a biopsychosocial approach, and best available research evidence to develop collaborative goals, within the context of appropriate formal and informal supports.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for MC287 Master of Physiotherapy: 

PLO1:  Apply the advanced body of knowledge in physiology, anatomy, and biomechanics to inform and guide the application of physiotherapy practice. 

PLO2:  Employ evidenced-based physiotherapy skills to assess, treat and manage individuals safely and competently in accordance with legislative frameworks and ethical code of conduct across diverse health settings.  

PLO3:  Evaluate and apply innovations in digital health and technology to support, advocate and advance physiotherapy practice. 

PLO5:  Execute research and critically appraise literature; interpret, analyse and synthesis findings for innovation and translation in physiotherapy practice. 

PLO6: Implement communication strategies that support collaborative and interdisciplinary decision making, and facilitate education and behaviour change for improved health outcomes.  

PLO7:  Integrate a person-centred philosophy while embracing and respecting cultural identity and values to effectively manage First Nations peoples and individuals from diverse backgrounds in healthcare. 


Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:  

  1. Synthesize the elements of musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory, and neurological physiotherapy assessments to execute evidence-based evaluation techniques effectively.
  2. Apply safe and effective evidence-based physiotherapy assessment methods within selected simulated cases related to specific population contexts including cancer-related illnesses, gender-specific, and paediatric populations.
  3. Devise client and family-centred Physiotherapy management plans for specific populations, incorporating best practices and utilizing appropriate formal and informal support systems.  
  4. Develop the management plans responsibly, through collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork, while employing a biopsychosocial approach. 
  5. Critically apply research evidence and validated outcome measures, inclusive of digital health modalities, to the physiotherapy assessment and management of specific populations (cancer-related illnesses, gender-specific, and paediatric populations). 
  6. Effectively communicate clinical knowledge and findings using person-and family centred communication, and interpersonal skills in a professional and inclusive manner. 


Overview of Learning Activities

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. As a student enrolled in this program you will:  

  • Undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice. 
  • Interact with industry and community when undertaking these activities 
  • Complete these activities in real work contexts or situations 

Students will be actively engaged in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, simulated clinical laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities.  

These activities will be scheduled in alternating blocks of online and face-to-face activities over the semester that each span several weeks. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through RMIT My Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

Each learning module contains core resources such as journal articles, videos, podcasts and other readings that students will require to complete the course successfully. Learning resources within this course will be clearly marked as ‘essential’ or ‘supplementary’. If the teaching team finds additional resources during course delivery that could be of interest for the cohort, this will be made available during the teaching period. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through RMIT My Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT My Course. 


Overview of Assessment

All Hurdle assessments are required to be successfully completed for a pass mark in this course. This clinical course awards a pass or fail mark.  

All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching). 

Hurdle requirements are required in order to provide evidence of safe practice and compliance with professional standards of the accrediting organisation the Australian Physiotherapy Council. 

Assessment Task 1: Individual Quiz 

Weighting: 30% 

This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4  

Assessment Task 2: Individual Quiz 

Weighting: 30% 

This assessment task supports CLO1, CLO2, CLO3 and CLO4  

Assessment Task 3: Individual Practical examination (Hurdle Requirement) 

Weighting: 40%  

This assessment task supports CLO1-CLO6  

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.