Curriculum

Educational Principles

Integration of Clinical and Basic Sciences

Opportunities are provided within the curriculum to integrate knowledge from both the clinical and basic sciences in order to understand and apply the concepts of evidence-based practice. Students learn to utilize the concepts and applications in the context of the changing health care system. An emphasis is placed on movement, which occurs on a continuum from the microscopic level to the level of the individual in society. Movement is influenced by life span. Both the client and the physical therapy delivered are affected by human development, growth, and the aging process.

Evidence-Based Practice

Scientific inquiry skills and integration of evidence-based principles into clinical decision-making are fundamental in the curriculum. Students develop their abilities to critically analyze and problem-solve, integrating information from empirical, scientific literature and practical experience. Physical therapy is practiced across a continuum of care where therapeutics is delivered in acute, rehabilitative, chronic and community settings to address impairments, disabilities, and in some instances, handicaps. Students are able to render sound clinical judgments and to continually evaluate their findings and therapeutic approaches.

Development of Professionalism and Interprofessional Education

Students learn and develop the skills essential to become health care professionals. Professional values, responsibility, accountability, sensitivity and ethical attitudes towards both the consumer and health care community are emphasized. Development of effective verbal and written communication is fostered throughout the program. Students learn to evaluate and consider the implications of their professional actions. Students are provided with opportunities to have interprofessional mentoring, to learn from faculty from diverse disciplines and interact with small groups of interprofessional students in the clinical setting.

Multiple Educational Strategies

Professional education requires students to engage in diverse and varying learning experiences and types of evaluation. The complexity of the learning experiences evolves throughout the program. Students are also encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility for their education and professional development. Collaborative learning experiences are fostered with students, faculty, physical therapy practitioners and other members of the health care system.

MScPT Best Practices Curriculum is designed to integrate Systems, Research and Internship Components organized in twelve units to maximize educational principles. Four major themes are integral to the curriculum. Educational strategies for the program will be lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratories, case-based learning, structured clinical sessions, integrated sessions, structured site visits, and clinical internships. An enhanced research approach has been added to the curriculum. Students are required to take all units.

Structure of the Best Practices Curriculum

Systems Component

Units 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8. This component is designed to provide the basic and clinical sciences of physical therapy; the principles of assessment, management, measurement and outcomes of evidence-based practice for the major systems that are integral to the practice of physical therapy. Therapeutic approaches are incorporated into the curricular design. These include: health promotion and disability prevention, therapeutic intervention, minimization of disability and optimization of ability, and restoration of functional capacity.

Research Component

Units 6, 10 and 12. This component is designed to integrate practice in physical therapy with research and program evaluation. The focus of these units is on developing student’s skills in critical appraisal, critical thinking and problem solving. A research project is introduced as part of the requirement of the program, under supervision of a practitioner and an academic faculty. The project will be presented at a formal Research Day.

Internship Component

Units 4/14, 7, 9 and 11. This component is designed to provide the opportunity to integrate the professional systems and research components while continuing to learn in practice settings, and develop clinical competence.

Weights and Grades for Courses

*B- (70%) is a passing grade for MScPT students. H/P/FZ=Honours/Pass/Fail.

Units of Instruction – Year One

PHT1001H and PHT1002Y: Introduction and Cardiorespiratory & Exercise Physical Therapy Practice (14 weeks)

In this unit, students are introduced to the field of Physical Therapy, disability studies and how science, practice, evaluation, research, business and ethics are integrated into the field. This unit also integrates the principles of cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, clinical pathobiology and dysfunction with the assessment, analysis and management of clients with acute or chronic respiratory and/or cardiovascular conditions. The content in this unit is critical to the holistic and comprehensive management of all clients. Evaluation of practice and clinical problem solving provide opportunities to develop an understanding of both the science and practice of Physical Therapy.

PHT1003Y: Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice (16 Weeks)

This unit introduces the principles of assessment and treatment of the musculoskeletal system based on an approach that integrates scientific and biomechanical principles with basic clinical skills. Content includes connective tissue structure and pathophysiology as they relate to musculoskeletal disorder, a systematic study of joints (peripheral and central), posture and gait. Professional and ethical practice issues are expanded from topics in Unit 2 and integrated throughout the unit. Learning strategies include small-group work, seminars, lectures, structured independent study units, clinical skills laboratories, tutorials and structured clinical sessions. This unit also includes a three week clinical internship focusing on mobility, transfers, interviewing, interacting with patients and health care teams while demonstrating safe and professional practice.

Structure and Function Component

The structure and function component (Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physiology and Pathology) runs concurrently and integratively with Units 1, 2 and 3. Lectures, laboratories, tutorials and case-based learning approaches are provided to assist with the integration of the clinical and basic sciences.

PHT1004Y: Clinical Internship – Cardiorespiratory & Exercise Physical Therapy Practice (5 weeks)

This clinical unit provides the opportunity for students to integrate the theory and science into the practice of Physical Therapy, focusing on general Physical Therapy practice including themes of exercise and cardiorespiratory Physical Therapy practice. Students who have successfully completed all components of the program up to Unit 4 are given the opportunity to apply their skills in a clinical setting. Students will be required to spend five full-time weeks in approved Physical Therapy sites coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs.

PHT1014Y: Clinical Internship – General Physical Therapy Practice (5 weeks)

This clinical internship unit provides the opportunity for students to integrate the theory and science into the practice of Physical Therapy, focusing on themes of mobility and basic musculoskeletal Physical Therapy practice. Students who have successfully completed all components of the program up to Unit 4 are given the opportunity to apply their skills in a clinical setting. Students will be required to spend five full-time weeks in approved physical therapy sites coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs.

PHT1005Y: Neurological Physical Therapy Practice (14 weeks)

Unit 5 integrates the principles of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, neuropathology and movement dysfunction to the assessment, analysis and management of clients with neurological disorders. The Unit promotes a client-centred approach to the management of neurological clients, across the health care continuum, across the lifespan and based on the best practices. An interprofessional approach to the care of clients with neurological dysfunction is emphasized, with exposure to various roles of the multidisciplinary team. Learning strategies include interactive lectures, small group case work, clinical skills laboratories, structured clinical sessions as well as independent study time.

Units of Instruction – Year Two

PHT1006Y: Research and Program Evaluation for Physical Therapy Practice I (3 weeks)

This is the first of three units integrating practice in physical therapy with research and program evaluation. The focus of this unit is on further developing student’s skills in critical appraisal, critical thinking and problem solving. Students will be introduced to a wide range of research designs currently being applied in the field of physical therapy spanning both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Learning strategies include seminars, small group work, in-depth analysis of the literature and both written and oral presentations. Students will develop their protocol for a clinical research project, which will be conducted in the remainder of the year.

PHT1007Y: Clinical Internship – Neurological Physical Therapy Practice (5 weeks)

This clinical unit provides the opportunity for students to integrate the theory and science into the practice of Physical Therapy, focusing on neurological Physical Therapy practice. Students who have successfully completed all components of the program up to Unit 7 are given the opportunity to apply their skills in a clinical setting. Students will be required to spend five full-time weeks in approved Physical Therapy sites coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs.

PHT1008Y: Advanced Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice (17 weeks)

This unit will provide students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge relating to the pathophysiology and management of selected neuromusculoskeletal conditions and to further develop basic physiotherapeutic skills in assessment and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. The unit promotes a client centred approach to management and a progressive professional perspective by providing strategies and opportunities for the integration of knowledge from across the curriculum. Learning strategies include lectures, laboratories, small group work and structured clinical sessions. The unit is divided into two sections with an internship in the middle to enhance skills (Unit 9).

PHT1009Y: Clinical Internship – Advanced Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Practice (5 Weeks)

This clinical unit is embedded within Unit 8 to provide the opportunity for students to integrate the theory and science of the field of neuromusculoskeletal into practice. The foci will be on the development of advanced clinical neuromusculoskeletal skills as they relate to the complex client and evolution towards the advanced practitioner. Students will be required to spend five full-time weeks in approved Physical Therapy sites coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs and faculty.

PHT1010Y & PHT1012Y: Research and Program Evaluation for Physical Therapy Practice II & III (6 weeks)

The Unit 10 Research Internship gives students the opportunity to develop and apply knowledge, skills and behaviors relevant to their research focusing particularly on the data analysis, interpretation of findings and writing components of their project. Learning strategies include seminars, self-directed group work and individual consultation with research faculty and advisors. At the completion of this unit, students complete and submit a draft of their final paper and a poster that they will use for knowledge exchange.

In Unit 12, the students will focus on the dissemination of the results of their research projects in written and oral formats. In addition, students will learn about the principles of knowledge transfer regarding research findings. The primary goals of the unit are for the students to develop a scientific poster presentation of their projects results that will be presented at a formal Research Day. Students will also complete the writing of a major paper according to the publication guidelines for a research article for a scientific journal. There is also an emphasis on specific ethical/professional and health system issues for the graduating physical therapist.

PHT1011Y: Clinical Internship – Selective Physical Therapy Practice (5 weeks)

This clinical unit provides the opportunity for students to integrate the theory and science into the practice of Physical Therapy, focusing on the varied roles of the Physical Therapist across the health care system. Students who have successfully completed all components of the program up to Unit 11 are given the opportunity, in this final clinical internship, to apply their skills in a particular interest area of clinical practice or an area needed for completion of the program (e.g. geriatrics). Students will be required to spend five full-time weeks in approved Physical Therapy sites coordinated by the Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs.