Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to obtain registration with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a physiotherapist who can deliver a physiotherapy service on a primary, secondary and tertiary level care level. This qualification represents a specific planned learning outcome, which enables a person with such a qualification to practice as qualified professional physiotherapist. The qualification is based on specific knowledge from the Basic Natural and Biomedical Sciences as well as Social Sciences.

Subjects pertaining to Physiotherapy specifically includes the acquiring the application of theoretical, practical, clinical, communication, managerial and research skills in an ethical way within the field of physiotherapy and in cross-field medical context. The course aims to enable learners to become lifelong learners, and to develop professional and leadership skills.

Rationale

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

• Learners must be able to identify a learner's / community's health problem in the context of his/her /it's socio-economic environment, and suggest and implement a holistic solution/plan of action to solve his/her/it's problem, professionally

demonstrating and understanding the world of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

• Perform his/her professional duties autonomously with confidence in collaboration with other health care professionals and workers and where appropriate assumes leadership in multidisciplinary tasks or projects.
• Do a critical appraisal of a colleague or a subordinate's evaluation and treatment plan.
• Continuously influence practice, based on evidence.
• Facilitate professional development of staff.
• Apply specialised knowledge, skills and expertise within the context of the changing health care system.
• Use flexible and innovative approaches to health care.
• Interact with other health care workers as a health care team member, contributing towards conflict resolution, group interaction, solution of problems and giving feedback.
• Assume different roles during group functioning in order to facilitate group interaction within organisations and /or structures, to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrate good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills during the interaction with learners, their caregivers, health care team members.
• Demonstrate negotiation skills.
• Undertake and participate in health education to the public, special groups and /or health care team members.
• Identify the role of stress in sickness and rehabilitation and assist learners and their caregivers in stress management.
• Keep up with the current trends and changing needs for a physiotherapy service in the different regional and national communities.
• Contribute as responsible citizens to the national and international community of physiotherapists, being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts and exploring education and career opportunities and develop entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Reflecting and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
• Contribute in planning and implementing of appropriate preventative, promotive and rehabilitation qualifications to empower individuals and communities based on the structure of the health care system.
• Exercise professional accountability and responsibility in a changing environment, across professional boundaries, health care systems, and in unfamiliar situations within the scope of practice.
• Act as role model of professional practice.
• Lead and facilitate lobbying around issues that concern health.

• Demonstrate appropriate theoretical knowledge and writing skills.
• Demonstrate professional communication skills, attitudes and collaboration skills, towards learners and colleagues.
• Take appropriate clinical history.
• Plan and perform appropriate clinical evaluation.
• Interpret results from specialised investigations.
• Participate in clinical decision-making and diagnosis where appropriate.
• Formulate the learner's health problem.
• Evaluate learners' health problems by identifying, verifying and quantifying his/her functional problem(s) in the context of his/her age, sex, culture, ADL and socio-economic and geographical environment, and plan and execute a treatment qualification.
• Formulate and implement a physiotherapy treatment plan, evaluating and adjusting as appropriate to the learner's needs/circumstances.
• Takes responsibility within own limits of competence.
• Acts within the accepted ethical and judicial norms of the profession.
• Compile and implement an acceptable research protocol.
• Report results according to scientific norms.

Integrated Assessment

Portfolios.

Simulations.

Work-place assessments.

Written examinations.

Oral examinations.

Other

Assessment is continuous and performed as follows

Portfolio assessment.

Seminars on case studies are presented.

Basic research project is conducted.

Formative assessment

The learners work and study under constant and close supervision of clinical personnel who asses, monitor and comment on their performance, such comment being directed at the learner and the supervisor.

Summative assessment

Pre-determined written summative assessment are set at regular intervals during the study. Oral and/or practical examinations are conducted during predetermined times during the study, which ensures comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the application of theoretical knowledge, acquired experience and clinical/practical skills of the learner. Learners must complete a mini-dissertation successfully.