Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy

The purpose of the qualification is for the qualified learner to be competent to apply specialised knowledge, tools and techniques in advanced physiotherapy, so contributing to the need in our country for physiotherapy. Further the purpose of the qualification is to produce qualified learners who may proceed to a Master's level.

FORMALLY ACCREDITED LEARNING

The typical applicant has a BSc (Physiotherapy) of the University, or other University-approved qualification, and is required to have completed the degree such that the levels would give the candidate a reasonable chance of reaching the specified outcomes, in order to meet the requirements for registration for a Diploma in Advanced Physiotherapy. Consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Leaners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, NQF Level.

1. Problem-Solving Ability

The qualifying learner is competent to perform high order problem solving techniques (collecting, researching, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information at an advanced level) and to apply specialised techniques in the field of physiotherapy to recognise, investigate treat and prevent.

2. Specialist Knowledge of Physiotherapy Practice and the Application Thereof

The qualifying learner is competent to apply specialist knowledge to determine the causes of functional problems and to solve and manage physiotherapeutic problems.

3. Attitudes and Values

The qualifying learner shows ethical, compassionate and skilled ability to conduct all aspects of specialist physiotherapy practice, both in relation to the care of individuals and of populations.

4. Self Development

The qualifying learner will have acquired and will demonstrate self direction and independence in his or her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal education needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate her or his own progress.

1. Understanding the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

In the contexts of the whole individual and his or her place in the family, society the population and the environment, the qualifying learner will have knowledge of health and its promotion disease and disability and its prevention and management in these contexts.

6. Working with others as members of a team, group, organisation, community

The qualifying learner will be competent to work with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.

7. Professional and General Communication

The qualifying learner will be competent to communicate and teach effectively both orally and in writing with peers, colleagues, patients, members of the health care team and the public.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• The ability to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate specialised approach to the solution of problems.
• Analyse information from history, physical examination, diagnostic tests patient notes to arrive at a management programme.
• Application of diverse knowledge to development of appropriate solutions of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors including financial, environmental, health and technological aspects.
• Appropriate decision making regarding management and treatment or referral based on the above and on current evidence enterprise in problem solving.

2. The qualifying learner demonstrates

• Both knowledge and application of that knowledge in a specialised field.
• Competence as a specialist practitioner in the field of physiotherapy which includes.
• Demonstration of leadership in advanced problem-solving.
• Ability to work with others in a team.
• Showing initiative and ability to work independently with professional responsibility in a specialised field being critically aware of one's own limitations.
• Appropriate referral to another practitioner.
• Effective communication in any appropriate medium.
• Effective and critical use of specialist techniques of physiotherapy.

3. The qualifying learner

• Shows respect for patients and colleagues without prejudice, with an understanding and appreciation of their diversities of background and opportunity, language and culture.
• Where applicable, refers patients to practitioners who are more appropriately qualified than he or she is to treat certain conditions.
• Demonstrates an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral, legal and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and the provision of care to populations.
• Considers both the impact of health care on the environment as well as the impact of the environment on health.
• Strives to improve patient care, to reduce inequalities in health care delivery, to optimise the use of health care resources in our society and uses his or her professional capabilities to contribute to the community as well as to individual patient welfare by the practise of specialist physiotherapy.
• Incorporates the ethical and legal issues of the profession into the practice of physiotherapy.

4. The qualifying learner

• Uses appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a specialist physiotherapist and as a responsible citizen.
• Acknowledges responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD) in order to keep up to date with new developments and to maintain accreditation and meet statutory CPD requirements.
• Identifies personal limitations and develops the capacity of self audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.

1. In the context of the individual patient the qualifying learner will show the ability to integrate basic science and clinical skills with an understanding of the consultative process and will demonstrate the ability to:

• obtain an appropriate history and understanding of the patient's reason for encounter.
• perform a complete physiotherapeutic examination.
• interpret the findings to reach an assessment of the patient's problems and formulate with the patient plans for investigation and management, including opportunistic health promotion.
• collate and interpret all relevant information, and plan a management programme.
• maintain a functional relationship with the patient.
• appropriately and effectively record all the above.

In the context of family and population health

• Collect and record health-relevant information in a systematic and reliable way; use this information to identify health problems and apply it to manage these problems.
• Analyse the burden of disease and disability within the family ,the community and the environment, socio-economic, political ecological and behavioural determinants of disease and disability.
• Apply the principles of disease and disability prevention and health promotion within the context of promoting a healthy environment.
• Play a role in the organisation, management and provision of health care both in the community and in acute health care settings, taking into consideration the economical and practical constraints within which it is delivered, and the audit process to monitor its delivery.

6. The qualifying learner will

• Recognise the nature and scope of the various professional health disciplines.
• Work effectively with others in the health-care team, understanding the need to have managerial, communicative, research and educational skills for this purpose.
• Demonstrate respect for the essential roles which other health workers play in health care and show a willingness to work effectively within a team.

1. The qualifying learner will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with the patient, the family, the health-care team and the community at large using appropriate structure and style.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations and papers, coursework assignments and tasks. Such methods assess students' progress towards the professional and academic competencies set out in the exit level outcomes listed above. The assessment instruments are designed to integrated practical, theoretical and reflexive competence. Furthermore in order to pass a course, and, finally, in order to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired. Formative assessment uses the modes of self-assessment, peer assessment and internal assessment by members of the academic staff of the Faculty. Summative assessment may be conducted by means of oral and written examinations, examinations equivalent and assignment. These assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, theoretical and reflexive competence.