Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PHTY4223: Clinical Practicum E

Semester 1, 2023 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The purpose of Clinical Practicum E is to enhance students' perspectives on the role and scope of physiotherapy practice within health more broadly. It is not intended to develop or reinforce hands-on physiotherapy skills but to develop project management and service analysis and improvement skills. Students will be allocated to a community organisation or health service (in groups) to undertake an organisation specific Quality Improvement Project which aims to develop evidence-based solutions to real-life service delivery problems. Students will undertake both independent and group learning and will work collaboratively with an allocated community organisation or health service, and a designated academic to develop and then fulfil an agreed Project Plan. Clinical Practicum E aims to assist students in developing University of Sydney graduate qualities to promote work readiness (e.g., communication, cultural competence, Inventiveness, information and digital literacy and influence).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
PHTY3083 or PHTY3085
Corequisites
? 
PHTY4221
Prohibitions
? 
PHTY3075
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Amabile Borges Dario, amabile.dario@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Tracey Pearce, tracey.pearce@sydney.edu.au
Amabile Borges Dario, amabile.dario@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Julia Blackford, julia.blackford@sydney.edu.au
Belinda Judd, belinda.judd@sydney.edu.au
Justine Dougherty, justine.dougherty@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Peer and self-review
Self and Peer review
5% Multiple weeks 2 submissions (Week 5 and Week 9)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Project plan and Team Agreement
Written assessment
10% Week 03
Due date: 10 Mar 2023 at 23:59
2200 words (2000 - 2400)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Individual reflection
Written assessment
15% Week 08
Due date: 14 Apr 2023 at 23:59
600 - 800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Project presentation and deliverables
10 minutes presentation with abstract (400 words) Deliverables: Varied
70% Week 10
Due date: 04 May 2023 at 23:59
Presentation (10m) Abstract (400 words)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

 

Assessment 1. Project plan and Team Agreement: To assist in managing the quality improvement (QI) project over the course of the unit, each group completes a project plan to outline the organisation objectives and define project outcomes. The project plan will be developed in consultation with the organisation, and the primary site supervisor will sign the final project plan.

Assessment 2. Peer and Self-review. Students evaluate twice self and peer’s contributions to the group work and project.

Assessment 3. Reflection on project work or group work process: Students are required to write a structured reflection on project work or the group work processes using GIBBs’ reflective cycle. Students need to refer to the Graduate Qualities listed in Canvas.

Assessment 4. Project presentation and deliverables: Each group completes the deliverables and a project presenation with an abstract describing the processes and outcomes of the QI project.   

Detailed information for each assessment is available on Canvas.

An automatic fail may be awarded where a student breaches professionalism expectations 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Students are expected to dedicate 9-12 hours per week to this 6-credit unit. The time should be used for independent work and other activities (group work activities, lectures, tutorials, and meetings with academic and site supervisors). Independent study (9 hr)  
Week 01 Introduction to CPE Lecture (3 hr)  
Week 02 Group agreement and project plan Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Meeting with site supervisor and academic Project (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Process and Methods Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Meeting with site supervisor and academic Project (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Results and achievements Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Meeting with site supervisor and academic Project (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to dedicate 9-12 hours per week to this 6-credit unit. The time should be used for independent work, group work activities and meetings, lectures, tutorials, and meetings with academic and site supervisors. 

Students will be required to attend both lectures and tutorials and meetings with the partner organisation and academics. Partner organisation and academic meeting times and frequency are to be negotiated by the student groups. However, a minimum of 3 meetings is required.

Students will be provided with a Canvas Site which will contain a timetable specific to Clinical Practicum E. While some time has been allocated for Clinical Practicum E on the student’s main timetable, students will need to be prepared to visit organisations at different times, which might be out of standard University hours e.g. attend exercise classes in the evenings or on weekends, and will be required to undertake additional group and independent learning. Please note that you must not arrange any meetings or site visits at the same time as lectures and tutorials for other units.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of quality improvement (QI) and its role in improving service delivery and patient outcomes
  • LO2. Develop and display University of Sydney Graduate Qualities
  • LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and barriers to group work (and their relevance to future practice)
  • LO4. Deeply reflect on and appraise aspects of the project process and the development of Graduate Qualities

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
3.3. deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
LO2
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
1.4. advocate for clients and their rights to health care
2.2. make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.2. record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
3.3. deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
5.2. engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
LO3
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.3. recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.1. use clear, accurate, sensitive and effective communication to support the development of trust and rapport in professional relationships with the client and relevant others
3.3. deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
4.2. evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
7.1. organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member
7.2. lead others effectively and efficiently within relevant professional, ethical and legal frameworks
LO4
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements - APC
2.1. comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
3.3. deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
4.1. assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2. evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.5. recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
6.1. use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
Physiotherapy Practice Threshold Statements -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
2.1 A comply with legal, professional, ethical and other relevant standards, codes and guidelines
2.2 A make and act on informed and appropriate decisions about acceptable professional and ethical behaviours
2.3 A recognise the need for, and implement, appropriate strategies to manage their physical and mental health and resilience
3.2 A record and effectively communicate physiotherapy assessment findings, outcomes and decisions
3.3 A deal effectively with actual and potential conflict in a proactive and constructive manner
4.1 A assess their practice against relevant professional benchmarks and take action to continually improve their practice
4.2 A evaluate their learning needs, engage in relevant continuing professional development and recognise when to seek professional support, including peer review
4.3 A efficiently consume and effectively apply research and commit to practice informed by best available research evidence and new knowledge
4.4 A proactively apply principles of quality improvement and risk management to practice
4.5 A recognise situations that are outside their scope of expertise or competence and take appropriate and timely action
5.2 A engage in safe, effective and collaborative interprofessional practice
6.1 A use education to empower themselves and provide knowledge to themselves and others.
7.1 A organise and prioritise their workload and resources to provide safe, effective and efficient physiotherapy autonomously and, where relevant, as a team member

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students feedback from UoS Survey has been reviewed and considered.

Site visit guidelines

Site visit guidelines are provided by sites (if relevant)

Work, health and safety

Consistent with New South Wales WHS legislation, you are required to complete a WHS induction within the first few days of your placement, and if relevant at any time you attend to work in another setting. This is an essential legal requirement to ensure that all risks are minimised for yourself and others that you are responsible for. The University has a duty of care to ensure you have been inducted appropriately and similarly, you are responsible for demonstrating that you are aware of, and know how to manage risk appropriately. The WHS site induction checklist should be carried out by each student on the first day of placement.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.