Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy

Purpose

The qualification prepares learners for professional training, Postgraduate studies or professional practice in a Physiotherapy career. Therefore, it emphasises general principles and theory in conjunction with procedural knowledge in order to provide leaners with a thorough grounding in the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of Physiotherapy and the ability to apply these to the profession. This qualification is designed in consultation with the professional body, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and recognised as a requirement for a license to practice in Physiotherapy. The modules offered in this qualification serve to prepare leaners for professional training, Postgraduate studies or professional practice.

Rationale

A physiotherapist is an important member of the health care team, taking responsibility for assessing and managing patients' return to functional activity. Due to the increasing demand of professionals supplying health services in the fields of health education, prophylaxis, therapy and rehabilitation, the learners of this qualification need to be provided with a wide range of professional fields of activity. The rationale of the qualification to produce physiotherapists who will be competent in rendering a professional service in all health care environments. Learners would have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning abilities exhibiting desired attitudes, values and behaviour to pursue their profession as physiotherapists and as rehabilitation managers within the greater health care setting, responding to the needs of the community, business and industry understanding the importance of life-long learning and having an appreciation of the value of education and society.

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for Credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's Degree study.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 510 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 72 Credits

• Chemistry 1, 8 Credits.
• Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry (Practical), 4 Credits.
• Chemistry 2, 8 Credits.
• Physics, 12 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Basic Principles, 24 Credits.
• Mech, Optics, Elec, Biol and Med, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 160 Credits

• Anatomy, 32 Credits.
• Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Basic Principle, 56 Credits.
• Physiology, 32 Credits.
• Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
• Pharmacology 1, 8 Credits.
• Pharmacology 2, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 141 Credits

• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice, 45 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Clinical Sciences, 16 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Advanced Principles, 56 Credits.
• Therapeutic Intervention), 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 137 Credits

• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice, 65 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Physiotherapy Integrated Principles, 56 Credits.

On completion of the qualification the learner will be capable of demonstrating

1. A sound knowledge and understanding of the health care system, the role of the physiotherapist in preventative, promotive and rehabilitative patient care and treatment of disease and injuries relevant to physiotherapy.
2. A sound knowledge of basic scientific research principles and procedures.
3. The ability to correctly identify and apply manual techniques, therapeutic exercises, electro-physical modalities.
4. Adequate clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities enabling him/her to effectively construct and execute and appropriate patient treatment plan.
5. An awareness of the functioning and policies relevant to the various levels of health care within the context of the South African health care setting.
6. The ability to utilise diagnostic and treatment aids, as well as the services of other health care professions, successfully participating and contributing within the context of the multi-professional team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to execute a basic research project in accordance with a compiles protocol within given times frames, as well as document and present research findings.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of normal human development, structures and pathology.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of diseases and pathological processes as the basis of physiotherapy practice.
• Apply the correct utilisation of physiotherapeutic scientific terminology.
• Apply the proficient execution of basic clinical assessment skills, including taking a comprehensive patient history, perform a subject interview and physical examination, interpret and correctly document the assessment findings.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy provides for both Formative and Summative Assessment opportunities as well as Continuous Assessment. This combination of assessment opportunities affords learners the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur and include presentation and projects on an approved topic which will test and help to give the learner insight into the complexity of practicing Physiotherapy in an ever demanding health care environment. In addition, integrated continuous and formative assessment will allow the demonstration of achieved competences as required by the outcomes of the qualification by means of tests, assignments, practical reports and oral presentations.

The overall assessment strategy provides for both Formative and Summative Assessment opportunities as well as Continuous Assessment. This combination of assessment opportunities affords learner the opportunity to monitor their progress on a regular basis and address problems as they occur. In addition, integrated continuous and formative assessment will allow the demonstration of achieved competences as required by the outcomes of the qualification by means of tests, examinations, assignments, practical reports and oral presentations.