Units / PTY5104
PTY5104 · Advancing skills in paediatric physiotherapy: Complex and chronic conditions
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Physiotherapy
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit will cover components of physiotherapy assessment and management options for children of all ages with a range of complex and chronic conditions. Aetiology and epidemiology of chronic and complex conditions experienced by paediatric clients, and the physiotherapy role in evaluation are described. An emphasis on establishing competence and confidence to work autonomously whilst identifying limits to own practice is stressed. Learning will be experienced in the online classroom environment with a single face to face day at the conclusion of the unit. A selection of case studies drawn from acute, subacute and community settings will be used to explore learning outcomes.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Peninsula | First semester | A combination of on-campus and online teaching in a block period (FLX-BLK) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 x secure online quizzes (Summative) | Quiz / Test | 35% | — |
| 2 | Contribution to 4 x discussion boards (Pass/Fail) | Exercise | 0% | Competency |
| 3 | Clinical practice assignment (1,000 words) | Artefact | 15% | — |
| 4 | Guided case study assignment (2,000 words) | Written | 30% | — |
| 5 | Online examination | Examination | 20% | — |
Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Describe the aetiology and pathophysiology of progressive neuromuscular disorders, acquired brain injury, persistent pain and chronic fatigue in the paediatric population and integrate this knowledge into physiotherapy management of clients who have these conditions.
- Critically analyse the key elements of assessment and combine them into a relevant, feasible and comprehensive physiotherapy assessment.
- Justify the choice of appropriate standardised outcome measures.
- Critically analyse the key elements of physiotherapy treatment and combine them into a relevant, feasible and comprehensive physiotherapy treatment plan.
- Synthesise the evidence underpinning appropriate physiotherapy treatment selection.
- Plan physiotherapy assessment and management within the context of the multi-disciplinary team and family-centred practice.
Workload
Approximately 12 hours per week of interaction with online lectures and course material, completion of online assessment tasks and participation in online communications with other students and tutor and self-directed study time (online delivery only, block mode). An additional 8 hours of face to face day attendance or video footage viewing required.
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