programme specification part 1: course summary … · are only for post-registration...

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s PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Final

Course summary

Final award MSc Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Intermediate award PGCert Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy

PGDip Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Course status Validated

Awarding body University of Brighton

School Health Sciences

Location of study/ campus Eastbourne

Partner institution(s)

Name of institution Host department Course status

1. SELECT

2.

3.

Admissions

Admissions agency Direct to School

PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION

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Entry requirements

Include any progression

opportunities into the course.

Applicable for 2015 entry. Check the University’s website for 2016 entry

requirements.

All students will normally hold an appropriate Honours Degree

qualification in physiotherapy, which is recognised for

registration purposes by the Health and Care Professions

Council and by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Those

without a first degree in physiotherapy but with a diploma

qualification may be considered.

• Students enrolling for the PG Diploma and MSc must be

registered by the Health and Care Professions Council and be a

full member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy or hold

their own indemnity insurance.

• All applicants will, however, be considered on an individual

basis and those without a First Degree who can provide a

significant portfolio of relevant work experience and commitment

towards a continuing process of self and professional

development will be given favourable consideration. This

consideration will include an evaluation of the individual’s needs

and where it is thought necessary a suitable programme of pre-

enrolment studies will be recommended by the Course Leader.

• Students will have a minimum of one year post registration

experience in a neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy setting.

• Overseas applicants normally require a degree qualification in

physiotherapy, which is equivalent to a UK qualification and

appropriate English language skills.

• For students enrolling on the PGCert in Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy, whose first language is not English, the following

examples are English Language proficiency tests accepted by

the University: International English Language Testing System

(IELTS) – at least 6.5 overall and 6 in writing.

• For students enrolling on the MSc or PGDip in

Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy, whose first language is

not English, the following examples are English Language

proficiency tests accepted by Health and Care Professions

Council (http://www.hpc-

uk.org/apply/international/requirements/index.asp) and the

University: International English Language Testing System

(IELTS) – at least 7 with no element below 6.5.

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Candidates with physical disability are considered for entry to

the course provided it can be shown that their disability is

unlikely to affect their work as a neuromusculoskeletal

physiotherapist. Student services would be notified to ensure

that appropriate support is given to the student. Regardless of

disability, students will be required to complete the practical and

clinical examinations of the course within reasonable

timescales.

Applicants who do not meet the normal admission requirements

may be registered for individual modules with the possibility of

transferring to the course if successful.

Start date (mmm-yy)

Normally September

Sep-11

Mode of study

Mode of study Duration of study

(standard)

Maximum registration period

Full-time 1 year Other: 2 years

Part-time 3 years 6 years

Sandwich Select Select

Distance Select Select

Course codes/categories

UCAS code

Contacts

Course Leader (or Course

Development Leader)

Clair Hebron

Admissions Tutor Clair Hebron

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Examination and Assessment

External Examiner(s)

Name Place of work Date tenure expires

Adrian Mallows School of Health & Human Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ

Sept 2019

Examination Board(s) (AEB/CEB)

AEB

Approval and review

Approval date Review date

Validation 1

1997 2

2016

Programme Specification Republished Oct 2011 with

post Periodic Review

changes

Republished Sept 2012

with additional course

structure route for

international students

Republished Sept 2013

with no changes

Republished September

2014 with change to

course leader Republished

Sept 2015 with minor 3

updates

4 September 2016

Professional, Statutory and

Regulatory Body 1 (if

applicable): Manipulation

Association of Chartered

Physiotherapists

July 1997 5

Ongoing with annual report



applicable): Chartered

Society of Physiotherapy

July 1997 June 2016

1 Date of original validation.

2 Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years).

3 Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September).

4

Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is applicable to a particular cohort, please state here. 5

Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body.

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applicable):

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AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims

The aims of the course are:

The overall aims of the course are to:

Enhance the student’s ability to deliver patient centred care.

Enhance the student’s expertise in the examination, assessment, treatment and management of people with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction.

Help the individual to develop their own personal, professional and academic potential in the context of lifelong learning.

Encourage student innovation and creativity in the field of Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy.

Enhance their contribution to physiotherapy as a profession, by potentially increasing the profession's research base and in the long term provide widespread benefits to the Health and Social Care setting.

Learning outcomes

The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are

demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference 6

points where appropriate .

Knowledge and theory On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to deliver patient centred care.

2. Critically evaluate the examination, differential diagnosis, assessment, treatment and management of people with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction in the light of theoretical and research evidence.

3. Demonstrate ability to present, discuss and defend concepts and opinions of the science of neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy effectively through written and spoken language.

4. Analyse and critically appraise his/her own professional role within the context of the Health and Social Care setting.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy in relation to other health professions in order to facilitate professional interdisciplinary relationships.

6. Critically evaluate research, demonstrating a clear understanding of theoretical issues relating to research and the potential limitations of a variety of research methods

7. Demonstrate by means of an independent research project their ability to produce a piece of work which displays conceptual, organisational and analytical qualities at ‘level 7 and informs their physiotherapy practice.

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Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details.

PART 2: COURSE DETAILS

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Skills

Includes intellectual skills (i.e.

generic skills relating to

academic study, problem

solving, evaluation, research

etc.) and professional/

practical skills.

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

8. Communicate effectively with patients and professional colleagues.

9. Effectively solve clinical problems in all clinical cases including complex and unpredictable situations for people with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and make sound management judgements.

10. Demonstrate critical evaluation, synthesis and application of knowledge of biomedical, clinical and behavioural sciences.

11. Examine, assess, treat and manage people with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction with a high level of clinical expertise (PGDip and MSc).

12. Work competently in uncertainty with insufficient knowledge.

13. Meet the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists educational standards.

QAA subject

benchmark statement 7

(where applicable)

There is no QAA subject benchmark statement for MSc NMS

Physiotherapy courses. The course team have taken account of the

document 'Master's degree Characteristics' (QAA 2010) in the

development of this course.

PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable)

Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external

requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included.

This course is endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. This means that the

course will be recognised by the CSP as suitable and of a good standard for qualified

physiotherapists. It will be listed on the CSP website in their area for PG education.

This course is approved annually by the Committee for Education and Approval (CEA) of the

MACP.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Learning and teaching methods

This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours

and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list

of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course

delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element

of the course.

In common with other routes within the graduate programme, students will attend an induction session ‘introduction to your postgraduate studies’ designed to familiarise them with the learning environment and the study skills that they will need for the successful completion of the course. There is an online option for those students who are unable to attend the University based induction.

Students undertaking these exit awards will be post-registration physiotherapists. Of the six modules (not the dissertation), two modules are specific only to students enrolled on this

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Please refer to the QAA website for details.

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course (HEM 19 Clinical Placement 1 and HEM 21 Clinical placement 2) and two modules are only for post-registration physiotherapists (HEM 18 NMS management lower quadrant and HEM 20 NMS management upper quadrant). The remaining two modules are available to other professionals on the graduate programme so that some of the learning may be inter-professional.

The student group will have a wide range of clinical experience, but the level and scope of each individual’s practice may vary. This wealth of experience will be utilised to support the collective learning experience in each module. Lectures will be kept to a minimum and more student centred learning will be encouraged predominantly utilising facilitated group discussion, group work, role play and practical hands-on sessions. The two neuromusculoskeletal management modules use reflective practice and experiences from the clinical field to facilitate learning and enhance the clinical reasoning skills of the student. The course team is committed to providing the best learning environment possible and make every effort to engender a student centred approach to learning. Feedback from students on the student centred approach has been favourable with comments including: ‘I was expecting the didactic method of teaching but the ‘open’ environment worked well for creating more sustainable lifelong learning approach’ (October 2005 following module HEM18 Neuromusculoskeletal Management of the Lower Quadrant) “Very interesting group discussion, facilitated very well by course tutors” (Dec 2010 following HEM 18 module).

Each level 7, 20 credit module is equivalent to a notional 200 hours of student effort. Modules will normally have some required preparatory work, a period of attendance (extensive or intensive) and a period of independent study prior to submitting the module assignment. As modes of attendance vary for different modules, individual module outlines give more details of how the hours are split.

The introduction of studentcentral has enhanced the ability to communicate with each module cohort. The pre-module preparatory work and introductory letter is now posted onto studentcentral and this allows information and notices to be disseminated quickly and reliably.

The introduction of a mandatory online wiki engenders a community of practice and fosters peer learning. Students must contribute towards each task delivered on-line. To develop students’ critical evaluation skills these tasks will be facilitated by the course team. Student will be required to spend a minimum of 25 hours on the wiki during the course.

The programme takes into account the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy. For example to support the aim of widening participation, the Developing Professional Learning module supports students who have not studied in higher education for some time.

To obtain maximum benefit from the systematic linking of teaching and research, modules such as neuromusculoskeletal management of upper and lower quadrant (HEM 18 and 20) utilise the research expertise of staff members.

Students who have not practiced in the field in NMS physiotherapy in the UK will normally follow the “alternative” programme structure (see below).

Learning and Teaching Method % of Student Effort

e.g. Lectures 0%

Small facilitated group discussions 15%

Critical evaluation and development of practical skills 15%

Mentored clinical practice 20%

Independent study 50%

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ASSESSMENT

Assessment methods

This section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details

on where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also

provides an assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the

volume of assessment in the course.

The varied module content and method of delivery necessitates varied assessment strategies.

For each module the method of assessment reflects the module content and style of delivery

and ensures that, whenever possible, students will benefit from each other’s learning

experiences. A summary of the assessments for the core modules are given below:

Neuromusculoskeletal Management- Lower Quadrant: 3000 word assignment and a 45

minute practical examination.

Neuromusculoskeletal Management- Upper Quadrant: 3000 word assignment and a 45

minute practical examination.

Clinical Placement 1 - Clinical examination.

Clinical Placement 2 - Clinical examination.

The above practical and clinical examinations meet the International Federation of Orthopaedic

Manipulative Physical Therapists educational standards.

Research Methods for Health Professions – Multiple-choice examination and a 1500 word

reflective piece of course work.

Dissertation: Either:

a) a written dissertation of approximately 16,000 words (excludes appendices). The word count

depends on the type of research undertaken; guidance will be given by the supervisor.

or

b) a research paper for publication of approximately 5000 words, an extended literature review

and a critical review/ reflection of the research process (5000 words).

Learning Outcome

Assessment method Module Number

of credits

1. Demonstrate the ability to deliver patient centred care.

Clinical examination

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

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2. Critically evaluate the examination, differential diagnosis, assessment, treatment and management of people with neuromusculoskeleta l dysfunction in the light of theoretical and research evidence

Practical examinations and

written essay / case study.


HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

3. Demonstrate ability to present, discuss and defend concepts and opinions of the science of neuromusculoskeleta l physiotherapy effectively through written and spoken language




HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

4. Analyse and critically appraise his/her own professional role within the context of the Health and Social Care setting.

Written essay / case study.


HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of neuromusculoskeleta l physiotherapy in relation to other health professions in order to facilitate professional interdisciplinary relationships.


HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

6. Demonstrate by means of an independent research project their ability to produce a piece of work which displays conceptual, organisational and analytical qualities at ‘level 7 and informs their physiotherapy

Dissertation

HEM96

60 credit

module.

practice

7. Communicate effectively with patients and professional colleagues.

Practical examinations.


HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

8. Effectively solve clinical problems in all clinical cases including complex and unpredictable situations for people with neuromusculoskeleta l dysfunction and make sound management judgements.


HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

9. Demonstrate critical evaluation, synthesis and application of knowledge of biomedical, clinical and behavioural sciences.




HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

10. Examine, assess, treat and manage people with neuromusculoskeleta l dysfunction with a high level of clinical expertise (PGDip and MSc).

Practical examinations /

case study.


HEM18/20

HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

11. Work competently in uncertainty with insufficient knowledge


HEM19/21

20 credits

each

module.

Assessment is considered as a key aspect of learning and is consistent with the University’s

Assessment Policy. The varied module content and method of delivery necessitates varied

assessment strategies. A uniform approach to assessment is inappropriate. For each module

the method of assessment reflects the module learning outcomes, module content and style of

delivery and ensures that whenever possible students will benefit from each other’s learning

experiences. Assessments have been dPeasgigen1e1d otof 1fo8ster critical thinking; to facilitate the

evaluation of contemporary developments in the field; to further develop analysis of practice.

SUPPORT AND INFORMATION

Institutional/

University

All students benefit from:

University induction week

Student Handbook: the University and you

Course Handbook

Extensive library facilities

Computer pool rooms (indicate number of workstations by site)

E-mail address

Welfare service

Personal tutor for advice and guidance

Course-specific

Additional support, specifically

where courses have non-

traditional patterns of delivery

(e.g. distance learning and

work-based learning) include:

In addition, students on this course benefit from:

Please refer to information held in studentcentral.

COURSE STRUCTURE This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study

and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here.

Course Structure

Modules PG

Certificat

e

PG

Diploma

MSc

Optional module from the SHS

Postgraduate Education Programme

with approval from the course leader.

20

20

20

Neuromusculoskeletal (NMS)

Management - Lower Quadrant HEM 18

20

20

20


Management - Upper Quadrant HEM 20

20

20

20

Clinical Placement 1

Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy

HEM 19

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20

20

PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

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HEM 19

20

20



HEM 21

20

20

Research Methods for Health

Professionals HEM 07

20

20

Dissertation HEM 96 60

LEVEL 7 CREDITS 60 120 180

Alternative Course Structure: Normally students who have not been practicing in the UK

will follow the “alternative” programme structure below.

Modules PG

Certificat

e

PG

Diploma

MSc

Key Issues in Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy HEM39

20

20

20


Management - Lower Quadrant HEM 18

20

From

either

HEM18 or

HEM20

20

20


Management - Upper Quadrant HEM 20

20

20



HEM 19

20

20



HEM 21

20

20

Research Methods for Health

Professionals HEM 07

20

20

20

Dissertation HEM 96 60

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LEVEL 7 CREDITS 60 120 180

The course aims to enhance the clinical practice of physiotherapists in line with the

International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists (IFOMPT) and its

national representative group, the Manipulation Association of Chartered

Physiotherapists (MACP). Students who successfully complete all modules of the

course (apart from the dissertation) are eligible to join the MACP. The MACP stipulate

some specific requirements of the course, to ensure the students are reaching the

required standard; for example, students must have their practical hands-on skill and

their clinical skills tested under examination conditions. For this reason, the course

follows a specific pathway of study that offers little flexibility; there is only one module

which is optional for the student, the rest are all core modules. The IFOMPT hours

are met as follows

Neuromusculoskeletal management upper /lower quadrant HEM 18/20 -a minimum of

250 hours (including 25 hours will be spent on the module wikis).

Clinical Placements HEM 19/21-a minimum of 180 hours.

Research Methods for Health Professionals HEM 07 – 35 hours.

Optional module (which includes clinical sciences) -35 hours.

Clinical Placements HEM 19/21

For the MSc/PGDip award, there are 2 mandatory Clinical Placement modules to be

completed. HEM 19 Clinical Placement 1 will involve the student managing people with

neuromusculoskeletal conditions of predominantly the lower quadrant while HEM21

Clinical Placement 2 will be predominantly the upper quadrant.

It is recommended that students complete the clinical placement in pairs following a 2:1

model of student: educator. Publications on models of various ratios have been

published by staff within the school (Moore et al 2003) and a review article has also

recommended the 2:1 model (Currens 2003).

The course leader will be responsible for maintaining an adequate number and quality

of clinical placements. A national database of clinical educators is available on the

MACP website (www.macpweb.org). The student is responsible for contacting the

educator and arranging the placement. The student must notify the course leader of the

placement details. It is the student’s responsibility to organise and cover the cost of

travel and any accommodation which may be required.

The clinical educator must be available to offer close supervision to the students for no

less than 50% of the clinical placement hours and be accessible for specific advice

during the majority of the rest of the time.

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Modules

Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)

Level8 Module

code

Status Module title Credit

7 HEM07 M Research Methods for Health Professionals 20

7 HEM18 M Neuromusculoskeletal (NMS)

Management - Lower Quadrant

20

7 HEM20 M Neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) Management - Upper

Quadrant

20

7 HEM19 M Clinical Placement 1 Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy

20

7 HEM21 M Clinical Placement 2 Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy

20

7 O Optional module from the SHS Postgraduate

Education Programme (includes a research

methods module)

20

7 HEM96 M Dissertation 20

Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules)

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All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module.

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AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION

Award type Award* Title Level Eligibility for award Classification of award

Total credits9 Minimum credits10

Ratio of marks11: Class of award

Final MSc Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy

7 Total credit 180 Minimum credit at

level of award Other:

Level 7 marks Postgraduate degree

Final PG Dip Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy


level of award Select

Level 7 marks Postgraduate (taught

Select PG

Cert

Neuromusculoskeletal

Physiotherapy



Level 7 marks Postgraduate (taught

Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at


Select Select

Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at


Select Select

*Foundation degrees only

Progression routes from

award:

Award classifications Mark/ band % Foundat on degre Honours degree 12

Postgraduate degree (excludes

PG E and BM BS)

9 Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award.

10 Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award.

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Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding

class of award.

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70% - 100% Distinction First (1 Di tinction

60% - 69.99% Merit Upper econd (2:1) M rit

50% - 59.99% Pass

Lower second (2:2) Pass

40% - 49.99% Third (3)

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Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters.

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section.

The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance

with the University’s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught

Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral).

Specific regulations

which materially

affect assessment,

progression and

award on the course

e.g. Where referrals or repeat

of modules are not permitted

in line with the University’s

General Examination and

Assessment Regulations for

Taught Courses.

In order to meet the educational standards set by the International

Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists, the assessment

for HEM18, 19, 20 and 21 are two part assessments where 50% is the

threshold pass mark for each component. Both the components must

each be passed to successfully complete the module.

When students are unable to progress to their original masters, PG

Diploma or PG Certificate award as they have not attained the

mandatory modules for that award or they fail to progress and wish to

exit with some recognition of the 60 academic credits they have

achieved, there is the possibility of these students transferring to the

generic PG Certificate Health within this award.

Exceptions required

by PSRB

These require the approval of

the Chair of the Academic

Board

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programme specification part 1: course summary … · are only for post-registration...

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