This 15-credit, year two pre-clinical module builds on the knowledge and skills developed in year one, focusing on common medical, surgical and critical care pathologies and their physiotherapy management. The module develops students’ understanding of a broad range of acute, chronic and long-term conditions, enabling them to identify and address the physiotherapy problems encountered by patients across diverse healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on person-centred, holistic and evidence-based practice, as part of multidisciplinary assessment and management and the specific role of the physiotherapist in community, outpatient and inpatient settings.
Teaching is delivered through a blended approach designed to progressively develop knowledge, practical skills and clinical reasoning. Weekly asynchronous e-lectures provide the theoretical foundation and support a flipped classroom model, while tutor-facilitated tutorials use clinical case scenarios to promote application of theory to realistic patient presentations. Weekly practical sessions develop core assessment and treatment skills, with simulation activities used where appropriate to replicate clinical practice. Module learning outcomes are assessed through a single summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) based on a previously unseen acute medical, surgical or critical care scenario, supported by a scheduled formative OSCE to aid preparation.