Course Title: Advances in Physiotherapy Research

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advances in Physiotherapy Research

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Doa El-Ansary

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8444

Course Coordinator Email: doa.el-ansary@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Required Concurrent Study

You should undertake following course/s at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course will consolidate the role of research in advancing physiotherapy practice. It aims to equip you to undertake health innovation projects, leveraging research to drive positive change in the Physiotherapy field and contribute to the advancement of healthcare practice. You will complete an industry-partnered capstone project with a focus on research translation to improve patient outcomes, optimise interventions and inform evidence-based clinical decision-making in physiotherapy. You will also gain practical skills in analysing and interpreting statistical data, thereby reinforcing the link between research and Physiotherapy practice. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for MC287 Master of Physiotherapy: 

  • PLO3: Evaluate and apply innovations in digital health and technology to support, advocate and advance physiotherapy practice.
  • PLO4: Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in business and enterprise to problem solve and innovate solutions in physiotherapy and health. 
  • PLO5: Apply advanced research skills to critically appraise literature; interpret, analyse and synthesis findings for innovation and translation in physiotherapy practice. 


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Critically appraise the quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses 
  2. Extrapolate findings of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and their alignment with clinical guidelines to inform Physiotherapy practice
  3. Critically review current gaps in Physiotherapy practice to inform potential future research 
  4. Explore a healthcare innovation to address gaps in current Physiotherapy practice  


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Literature review (Individual) 
Weighting 50% 
This assessment item supports CLOs  1-4 

Assessment Task 2:Collaborative research (Group)
Weighting 30% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 2 & 3  

Assessment Task 3: Poster presentation (Individual)  
Weighting 20% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 2 & 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.