Current and Emerging Roles in Physiotherapy Practice

Physiotherapists as Advocates for Individuals Living With Dementia

Project Description

This project has been developed by year 2 students on the MSc (pre-registration) Physiotherapy programme at Queen Margaret University, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module ‘Current and Emerging Roles in Physiotherapy Practice’. The aim of the module is to prepare learners for emerging physiotherapy roles in response to changing healthcare needs, evolving contexts of delivery of practice and government health targets.

Objectives

This project aims to fulfil the following module learning outcomes:

• Critically evaluate and synthesise the key issues drawn from the literature, relating to an emerging area of contemporary physiotherapy practice  
• Identify and justify the knowledge, skills, behaviours and values which are required by physiotherapists to be effective in undertaking a specified role within the selected area of contemporary physiotherapy practice, both now and in the future.
• Use appropriate software to construct evidence of continuing professional development

Students work in groups to build shared wiki resources which can be intended as a resource for physiotherapists, patients or carers.

In 2011-12 , some students explored the role of the physiotherapist in public health and self-management.Others considered recent changes in scope of physiotherapy practice as well as the skills and attributes necessary for successful private practice.

In 201 -13, the students will be exploring contemporary issues including the role of the physiotherapist in prevention and treatment of both adult & childhood obesity and the prevention of falls in the aging population.

Project dates

September to December annually.

Course Instructors

Previously: Dr Judith Lane & Dr Cathy Bulley Currently: Dr Cathy Bulley; Cliona Purcell

Instructions to Students

Within your groups, develop a Wiki resource that can be used to educate and inform others on a selected current or emerging area of contemporary physiotherapy practice. Following the initial session, you will be allocated to a particular sub-theme.

Key References

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 2010. CSP Vision for the future of UK Physiotherapy. CSP: London.
• Department of Health. 2008. A High Quality Workforce: NHS Next Stage Review. DoH: London.
• Department of Health and Skills for Health. 2008. Modernising allied health professions (AHP's) careers: a competence based career framework. DoH: London
• Scottish Government. 2007. Better Health: Better Care Action Plan. The Scottish Government: Edinburgh.
• Scottish Government. 2012. AHP's as Agents of Change in Health and Social Care - The National Delivery Plan for the Allied Health Professions in Scotland, 2012-2015. The Scottish Government: Edinburgh.
• Skills for Health. 2009. Strategic Plan 2010-2015. Skills for Health: London.

Articles

Listed below are the Articles which were created as part of this project in 2011 - 12.

• Management of long-term conditions - physical activity, public health, prevention, treatment, maintenance, aging and health
• Management of long-term conditions - self-management strategies
• Service design and delivery - private practice; leadership; entrepreneurship
• Service design and delivery - changes in scope of physiotherapy practice

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2012-13.

• Promoting independence for people with dementia: A carers guide
• Shaping behaviour and attitude in childhood obesity
• Carer’s guide for dementia
• Second wind: A business case
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Continuing Professional Development Package
• The Emerging Role of the Physiotherapist in the Current Obesity Epidemic

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2013-14.

• An overview of physiotherapy in UK prisons
• Tackling Physical Inactivity: A Resource for Raising Awareness in Physiotherapists
• The Inclusion of CBT in Physiotherapy Education
• Raising physical activity levels in teenage girls
• Promoting the role of Physiotherapy in Palliative care: Information for allied health professionals
• Volunteering? Keep this in sight…the future is bright

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2014-2015.

• Physiotherapy and cancer treatment
• Benefits of physical activity and participation of children with cerebral palsy in mainstream schools
• Communication in healthcare
• Physiotherapists’ role as a health coach: encouraging the use of technology to enhance patient self-management
• A parent’s guide to congenital and acquired neuromuscular and genetic disorders
• Effective communication techniques

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2015-2016.

• Reducing pressures on the NHS: the emerging role of the physiotherapist in healthcare reform
• Telerehabilitation and the use of smartphone physiotherapy applications for home exercise programs
• The effectiveness of gaming technology in neurological rehabilitation
• Fostering behaviour change in the obese adolescent
• The emerging role of Microsoft Kinect in physiotherapy rehabilitation for stroke patients
• Prescribing in physiotherapy for pain: a current and emerging role

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2016-2017.

• Growing up with Cystic Fibrosis: a guide for parents and carers
• Diversity of private physiotherapy practice
• Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation for Young People with Physical Disabilities    
• Physiotherapists as Advocates for Individuals Living With Dementia
• Using communication to enhance therapeutic interactions with people living with dementia    
• The Role of Physiotherapists in the Prevention of Injury and Accident as a Result of Physical Activity In Adolescents Aged 12 - 18

Listed below are the working titles of the Articles that will be developed as part of this project in 2017-2018.

• Group 1
• Group 2
• Group 3
• Group 4
• Group 5
• Group 6