The Role of the Physiotherapist in Learning Disabilities

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Introduction

We are a group of 4th year BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy students at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. As part of our Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Physiotherapy Practice module, we have decided to complete an online learning resource. This resource is primarily aimed at senior physiotherapy students and newly qualified physiotherapists. This online wiki will explore the areas of communication and health literacy when working with patients who have learning disabilities. This resource will take approximately 10 hours to complete and will contribute to your CPD profile. Besides providing you with new information and researched evidence, there will be quizzes and opportunities for you to reflect. 1.1== Aims == The aims of this wiki are:

1.To provide final year physiotherapy students and new graduates with an online learning resource which develops their knowledge of learning disabilities and the common associated conditions that may require physiotherapy interventions.

2.To introduce final year physiotherapy students and newly qualified graduates to the skills and strategies which can be utilised within their practice to offer a more effective and comprehensive management of communication and health literacy to those with learning disabilities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this online activity you should be able to:

1.Discuss the impact of learning disabilities on the person and their needs in relation to physiotherapy interventions.

2.Critically appraise the evidence base and some of the key approaches surrounding communication and health literacy within learning disabilities.

3.Summarise the characteristics of psychological impacts and the underlying neurophysiology of communication difficulties experienced by those with learning disabilities.

4.Critically reflect upon the possible challenges faced by physiotherapists when communicating with people who have learning disabilities.

5.Critically evaluate the role of the physiotherapist in the area of learning disabilities with reference to relevant literature.

6.Formulate stronger patient-therapist relationship by applying these effective communication methods in the practice setting.

Learning styles (Vark questionnaire)

Different individuals have different learning styles, thus as part of our consideration for you to make the most of your learning through this wiki, various activities and resources will be included to cover the different learning types and styles.

Are you aware of the different learning styles and which best suits you?

If you are not aware of your ideal learning style but would be interested in finding out, you can fill in a short questionnaire below, which will take approximately 5 minutes. This will then reveal your ideal learning style and most suited learning methods, which would be useful to know, not only throughout this wiki, but also as part of your future learning.

[1]

The different learning styles are:

•Visual

•Aural/Auditory

•Read/write

•Kinaesthetic

•Multimodality

Blooms Taxonomy

Blooms taxonomy uses a hierarchy to establish the different learning levels. Figure 1 demonstrates the pyramid structure and highlights that a foundation needs to be part of the learning process before this learning can be applied to everyday practices, and evaluations can be made.

Learning outcomes for this wiki have been based around Bloom's model, and the higher learning levels have been selected to be appropriate for final year students and newly qualified physiotherapists. This is to allow a deeper understanding of the topics covered and to be able to apply these to everyday situations. [2]

Why is there a need for this Physiopedia page

•There is a gap in the literature.

•There is no current module in the BSc/MSc pre-reg courses on learning disabilities.

•Literacy and communication difficulties are experienced by many people with learning disabilities.

Activities Provided

There will be different activities provided throughout this resource which are aimed at the different learning types.

How this resource relates to the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)

The KSF is a competence framework that supports professional development and career progression for professionals working in the NHS. It ensures that staff are supported so that they can carry out their job effectively.This physiopedia page aims to address some of the core components of the KSF required of a Band 5 Physiotherapist. By completing this online resource it will help you to achieve some of the key indicators.

Here is a list of the key indicators that you will achieve in this wiki:

Communication:

•Improves the effectiveness of communication through communication skills.

•Constructively manages barriers to effective communication.

Personal and people development:

•Takes responsibility for own personal development and takes an active part in learning opportunities.

•Evaluates the effectiveness of learning opportunities and alerts others to benefits and problems.

Quality: •Acts consistently with legislation, policies, procedures and other quality approaches and encourages others to do so.

•Uses and maintains resources efficiently and effectively and encourages others to do so.

Equality and diversity:

•Recognises people’s rights and acts in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.

•Acts in ways that: ◦Respect diversity. ◦View people as individuals.

Assessment and treatment planning:

•Selects appropriate assessment approaches, methods, techniques and equipment, in line with ◦Individual needs and characteristics. ◦Evidence of effectiveness. ◦The resources available.

•Monitors individuals during assessments and takes the appropriate action in relation to any significant changes or possible risks.

•Evaluates assessment findings/results and takes appropriate action when there are issues.

•Identifies individuals whose needs fall outside protocols / pathways / models and makes referrals to the appropriate practitioners with the necessary degree of urgency.

For more information please explore the KSF website:

[3]

References

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.